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Albuquerque-Lima S, Domingos-Melo A, Milet-Pinheiro P, Navarro DMDOAF, Taylor NP, Zappi DC, Machado IC. The iconic cactus of the Caatinga dry forest, Cereus jamacaru (Cactaceae) has high sphingophily specialization and pollinator dependence. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20220460. [PMID: 37646712 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cereus jamacaru is a cactus distributed in Northeastern Brazil, with high symbolic value to this region. However, the interaction, behavior and the role of pollinators remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the reproductive biology, addressing the ecological significance of floral attributes, including details about floral signaling. The study was carried at three areas of the Caatinga, in 2015, 2017 and 2021. We analyzed the floral morphometry, volume and concentration of the nectar, and characterized the colour and scent of flowers. Additionally, we described the pollinator behavior and performed controlled pollination experiments. The 'Mandacaru' is self-incompatible, has nocturnal anthesis and the nectar is accumulated as droplets in a long hypanthial tube. The flowers have a reflective pattern with a dark outer surface and a white inner surface. (E)-nerolidol is the major component (87.4%) of its floral perfume. We registered the sphingid moth Cocytius antaeus visiting the flowers. The floral attributes, attractants and rewards drives to a sphingophily, and the pollination treatments showed the dependence to fruit set by C. antaeus, the pollinator registered. In this case, if the apparent lack of pollinator diversity encompasses its entire range, the loss of the hawkmoth could severely impact the reproductive success of the cactus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinzinando Albuquerque-Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Biologia Floral e Reprodutiva - POLINIZAR, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Arthur Domingos-Melo
- Universidade de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Ecologia, Campus Petrolina, Rodovia BR 203, Km 2, s/n, Vila Eduardo, 56328-900 Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Paulo Milet-Pinheiro
- Universidade de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Ecologia, Campus Petrolina, Rodovia BR 203, Km 2, s/n, Vila Eduardo, 56328-900 Petrolina, PE, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Química Fundamental, Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Daniela Maria DO Amaral Ferraz Navarro
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Química Fundamental, Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Nigel P Taylor
- University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Campus, 'The Alameda', Red Sands Road, PO Box 843, Gibraltar GX11 1AA
| | - Daniela C Zappi
- Universidade de Brasília, Secretaria da Coordenação de Pós-Graduação em Botânica, Caixa Postal 04457, 70919-970 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Isabel C Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Botânica, Laboratório de Biologia Floral e Reprodutiva - POLINIZAR, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
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Gorostiague P, Ollerton J, Ortega-Baes P. Latitudinal gradients in biotic interactions: Are cacti pollination systems more specialized in the tropics? PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:187-197. [PMID: 35751486 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biotic interactions are said to be more specialized in the tropics, and this was also proposed for the pollination systems of columnar cacti from North America. However, this has not yet been tested for a wider set of cactus species. Here, we use the available information about pollination in the Cactaceae to explore the geographic patterns of this mutualistic interaction, and test if there is a latitudinal gradient in its degree of specialization. We performed a bibliographic search of all publications on the pollination of cacti species and summarized the information to build a database. We used generalized linear models to evaluate if the degree of specialization in cacti pollination systems is affected by latitude, using two different measures: the number of pollinator guilds (functional specialization) and the number of pollinator species (ecological specialization). Our database contained information about the pollination of 148 species. The most frequent pollinator guilds were bees, birds, moths and bats. There was no apparent effect of latitude on the number of guilds that pollinate a cactus species. However, latitude had a small but significant effect on the number of pollinator species that service a given cactus species. Bees are found as pollinators of most cactus species, along a wide latitudinal gradient. Bat and bird pollination is more common in the tropics than in the extra-tropics. The available information suggests that cacti pollination systems are slightly more ecologically specialized in the tropics, but it does not support any trend with regard to functional specialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gorostiague
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Argentina
- Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology, University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton, UK
| | - J Ollerton
- Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology, University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton, UK
| | - P Ortega-Baes
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Argentina
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Oliveira W, Cruz‐Neto O, Silva JLS, Tabarelli M, Lopes AV. Aridity mediates the effect of wood extraction on the reproductive output of an endemic disturbance‐adapted woody species (
Cenostigma microphyllum
, Leguminosae) in the Caatinga dry forest. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Willams Oliveira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife Brazil
| | - Oswaldo Cruz‐Neto
- Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Tabarelli
- Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife Brazil
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XIAO Z. Dual ecological functions of scatter-hoarding rodents: pollinators and seed dispersers of Mucuna sempervirens (Fabaceae). Integr Zool 2022; 17:918-929. [PMID: 34826365 PMCID: PMC9786907 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Double mutualism, that is, pollination and seed dispersal of the same plant species mediated by the same animal partners, is important but remains elusive in nature. Recently, rodent species were found as key pollinators (i.e. explosive openers) for some Mucuna species in (sub)tropical Asia, but no evidence has shown whether and how these rodents could also act as legitimate seed dispersers via scatter-hoarding for those producing large seeds. Here, my aim was to test the hypothesis that scatter-hoarding rodents could act as double mutualists for both pollination and seed dispersal of the same Mucuna species, that is, Mucuna sempervirens (Fabaceae). Based on camera-trapping survey at 2 locations with or without squirrel presence in the Dujiangyan subtropical forests, Southwest China, 7 mammals and birds were identified as explosive openers for M. sempervirens flowers, but Leopoldamys edwardsi (rats) and Paguma larvata (civets) were the main pollinators at the squirrel-absent site, while Callosciurus erythraeus (squirrels) were the main pollinators at the squirrel-present site. By tracking the fate of individually-tagged seeds over 5 years at each site, I provide the first evidence for seed-eating rodents as legitimate seed dispersers via scatter-hoarding of seeds in this world-wide plant genus, although dispersal services were slightly reduced at squirrel-absent site. More importantly, the dual roles of scatter-hoarding rodents as key pollinators and seed dispersers for the same Mucuna species have shown a clear relationship of double mutualism, and their key services may be essential for population conservation of these Mucuna species in human-disturbed landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhishu XIAO
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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5
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Lim G, Burns K. Avian translocations restore dual interaction networks in an island ecosystem. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ganges Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Te Toki a Rata Building University of Wellington, PO Box 600 Wellington New Zealand 6015
| | - K.C. Burns
- School of Biological Sciences, Te Toki a Rata Building University of Wellington, PO Box 600 Wellington New Zealand 6015
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Quintero E, Isla J, Jordano P. Methodological overview and data‐merging approaches in the study of plant–frugivore interactions. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Isla
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC Sevilla Spain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC Sevilla Spain
- Dept Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Univ. de Sevilla Sevilla Spain
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Paixão VHF, Gomes VGN, Venticinque EM. Florivory by lizards on Tacinga inamoena (K.Schum.) N.P.Taylor & Stuppy (Cactaceae) in the Brazilian Caatinga. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Florivory can alter plant reproductive success by damaging sexual reproductive structures and disrupting plant-pollinator interactions through decreased flower attractiveness. Here, we report new records of the cactus Tacinga inamoena flower consumption by the Tropidurus hispidus lizard in the Brazilian Caatinga. We monitored 53 flowers from 11 T. inamoena individuals with camera traps over a 1-year period, totalling 450 camera-days of sample effort. We detected four florivory events. In three of these events, flowers were entirely consumed or had their reproductive structures severely damaged, leading to no fruit formation. Florivory events occurred in the morning, right after anthesis, in flowers near the ground, and lizards did not climb the cactus. Our results suggest that T. hispidus florivory on T. inamoena could have a negative impact on fruit set, since the consumed flowers were entirely destroyed. However, the long-term effects of florivory by lizards on T. inamoena reproductive success in the Caatinga still needs to be elucidated.
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Silva ÉEDME, Paixão VHF, Torquato JL, Lunardi DG, Lunardi VDO. Fruiting phenology and consumption of zoochoric fruits by wild vertebrates in a seasonally dry tropical forest in the Brazilian Caatinga. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Fuster F, Traveset A. Importance of intraspecific variation in the pollination and seed dispersal functions of a double mutualist animal species. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Fuster
- Global Change Research Group, Inst. Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC‐UIB), Miquel Marqués 21, ES‐07190‐Esporles Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Inst. Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC‐UIB), Miquel Marqués 21, ES‐07190‐Esporles Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain
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Bissessur P, Bunsy Y, Baider C, Florens FBV. Non-intrusive systematic study reveals mutualistic interactions between threatened island endemic species and points to more impactful conservation. J Nat Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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11
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Cozien RJ, van der Niet T, Johnson SD, Steenhuisen SL. Saurian surprise: lizards pollinate South Africa's enigmatic hidden flower. Ecology 2019; 100:e02670. [PMID: 30946483 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth J Cozien
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | | | - Steven D Johnson
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen
- Department of Plant Sciences and Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
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12
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Hervías-Parejo S, Nogales M, Guzmán B, Trigo MDM, Olesen JM, Vargas P, Heleno R, Traveset A. Potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across the Galápagos Islands. Integr Zool 2019; 15:144-148. [PMID: 30811785 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Lizards have been reported as important pollinators on several oceanic islands. Here we evaluate the potential role of Galápagos lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) as pollinators across their radiation. Over 3 years, we sampled pollen transport by 9 lava lizard species on the 10 islands where they are present, including 7 single-island endemics. Overall, only 25 of 296 individuals sampled (8.4%) transported pollen of 10 plant species, the most common being Prosopis juliflora, Exodeconus miersii, Sesuvium sp. and Cordia leucophlyctis. At least 8 of these plant species were native, and none were confirmed as introduced to the archipelago. Despite the low overall proportion of individuals carrying pollen, this was observed in 7 of the nine lizard species, and on 8 of the ten main islands (Española, Fernandina, Floreana, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, Santa Cruz and Santiago), suggesting that this is a widespread interaction. The results reported here support the potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across their radiation, although they may represent a relatively modest contribution when compared with birds and insects. However, we cannot discard that lizards may be ecologically significant for particular plant species and ecosystems given the specific climatic condition and functional diversity of each island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hervías-Parejo
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Nogales
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology, Canary Islands, Spain
| | | | | | - Jens M Olesen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ruben Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Fuster F, Traveset A. Evidence for a double mutualistic interaction between a lizard and a Mediterranean gymnosperm, Ephedra fragilis. AOB PLANTS 2019; 11:plz001. [PMID: 30800260 PMCID: PMC6379517 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plz001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of double mutualisms (i.e. two interacting species benefiting each other in two different functions, e.g. pollination and seed dispersal) have been reported, mainly from island ecosystems, although we still lack much information on how effective such species are in both processes. Here, we assessed the pollination effectiveness of a double mutualism between an ancient Mediterranean gymnosperm, Ephedra fragilis, and a lizard, Podarcis lilfordi. On the one hand, we assessed the lizard contribution to different fitness measures (seed set and germination success), relative to that of insects and the wind effect; on the other, we determined the lizards' seed removal rate (i.e. the quantity component of seed dispersal effectiveness). In both processes, we further tested for differences in their contributions among male, female and juvenile lizards. Ephedra fragilis showed to be mostly anemophilous, lizards and insects playing only a minor role on seed set. However, lizards qualitatively contributed to pollination success, as seeds coming from lizard-pollinated cones germinated at higher rates than those pollinated by wind or insects, although this was detected only for small seeds (<8 mg). The plant produced a low seed set (c. 23 %), which was compensated by a high seed germinability (c. 70 %). Adult male lizards were those most implicated in pollination, quantitatively more important than insects, and in seed dispersal. This work, thus, reports the importance of a lizard species in one of the few double mutualisms found in the World involving a gymnosperm, and it represents the first documentation of a double mutualism in the Mediterranean region. Our findings further contribute to highlight the role of both inter- and intraspecific differences in the effectiveness of mutualistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Fuster
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB), Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Bels V, Paindavoine AS, Zghikh LN, Paulet E, Pallandre JP, Montuelle SJ. Feeding in Lizards: Form–Function and Complex Multifunctional System. FEEDING IN VERTEBRATES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-13739-7_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Guerra TJ, Messeder JVS, Arruda AJ, Fuzessy LF, Dayrell RLC, Neves FS, Silveira FAO. Handling by avian frugivores affects diaspore secondary removal. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202435. [PMID: 30157261 PMCID: PMC6114891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The balance between the costs and benefits of fleshy fruit production depends on the feeding behavior of their seed dispersers, which might effectively disperse seeds to farther areas or drop beneath parent plants some diaspores they handle during frugivory bouts. Nevertheless, the consequences of variation in fruit handling by primary seed dispersers on the secondary removal of diaspores remains poorly understood. We conducted a field study to determine how variation in fruit handling by avian frugivores affects short-term secondary removal of Miconia irwinii (Melastomataceae) diaspores by the ground-dwelling fauna in campo rupestre vegetation, southeastern Brazil. We conducted factorial experiments manipulating: (1) different outcomes of primary fruit/seed removal by birds, (2) distances of diaspore deposition from conspecifics, and (3) the access of ants and vertebrates to diaspores. We showed that secondary removal of diaspores was highly variable at the population scale, with an overall low removal rate by the ground-dwelling fauna (13% seeds, 19% fruits). However, we found that gut-passed seeds embedded in bird feces were less removed than seeds expelled from fruits. Gut-passed seeds were more likely to be removed by ant species acting as secondary dispersers, whereas pulp-free seeds dropped by birds were likely to interact with potential seed predators, including ants and rodents. We found no clear effect of dispersal from parent plant vicinity on seed removal, but fruit removal was significantly higher near parent plants. Partially defleshed fruits were more removed than intact fruits. The removal of fruits by ant and vertebrate rescuers, including lizards and birds, might reduce the costs of interactions with less effective dispersers that drop partially defleshed fruits under parent plants. Our study highlights that variation in fruit handling by primary avian seed dispersers mediate subsequent interactions among discarded diaspores and ground-dwelling animals, potentially affecting final seed fates. Moreover, we argue that escape-related benefits of dispersal can be contingent on how primary dispersers handle and discard seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeu J. Guerra
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - João V. S. Messeder
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - André J. Arruda
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lisieux F. Fuzessy
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Roberta L. C. Dayrell
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Frederico S. Neves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais—Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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