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Mutualistic interaction network structure between bird and plant species in a semi-arid Neotropical environment. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2023.103897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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2
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Wang G, Huang Y, Yao W, Huang Q, Huang Y, Wei L, Zhou Q. Structure and characteristics of the plant-frugivore bird network from the Guilin Botanical Garden. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15028. [PMID: 36945357 PMCID: PMC10024898 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between plants and frugivores is crucial to ecosystem function and community diversity. However, little is known about the interaction between plants and frugivorous bird species in urban green spaces. We observed interactions between plants and frugivorous birds in the Guilin Botanical Garden for one year and determined the structure and characteristics of the interaction network. We also analyzed the impact of species traits on their network roles. Interactions between 14 frugivorous birds and 13 fruit plant species were recorded in the study area. Autumn interactions comprised 38.79% of the overall network, and winter interactions comprised 33.15%. The modularity (Q, z-score) of the network was higher in autumn; the weighted nestedness (wNODF, z-score) and interaction evenness (E2 , z-score) of the network were higher in winter; the connectance (C, z-score) and interaction diversity (z-score) of the network were higher in spring; and the specialization (H2', z-score) of the network was higher in summer. The observed network showed lower C, lower interaction H2 , lower E2 , lower wNODF, higher H2' and higher Q when compared to the random networks. The bird species most important to network stability were Hemixos castanonotus, Parus venustulus, and Pycnonotus sinensis. The most important plant species were Alocasia macrorrhiza, Cinnamomum camphora, and Machilus nanmu. Of all the bird and plant traits included in this study, only plant color had a significant impact on species strength, with black fruit having a higher species strength. Our results suggest that interaction networks in urban green spaces can be temporally complex and variable and that a network approach can be an important monitoring tool for detecting the status of crucial ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohai Wang
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities, Chongzuo, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Yao
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Qiuchan Huang
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities, Chongzuo, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- College of Mathematics, Physics and Electronic Information Engineering, Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities, Chongzuo, Guangxi, China
| | - Lijuan Wei
- College of Mathematics, Physics and Electronic Information Engineering, Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities, Chongzuo, Guangxi, China
| | - Qihai Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
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3
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Costa A, Heleno R, Dufrene Y, Huckle E, Gabriel R, Harrison X, Schabo DG, Farwig N, Kaiser‐Bunbury CN. Seasonal variation in impact of non‐native species on tropical seed dispersal networks. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Costa
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Ruben Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology, TERRA Associated Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | | | - Eleanor Huckle
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Ronny Gabriel
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority Mahé Seychelles
| | - Xavier Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Dana G. Schabo
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology University of Marburg Germany
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology University of Marburg Germany
| | - Christopher N. Kaiser‐Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
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Kamei Y, Ohkawara K. Specific interactions in seed dispersal by the Japanese white‐eye
Zosterops japonicus
: Factors influencing its preference for two plant species,
Aralia elata
and
Zanthoxylum ailanthoides. Ecol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12333] [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)
- Yumeno Kamei
- Ecological Laboratory, Division of Biological Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Kyohsuke Ohkawara
- Ecological Laboratory, Division of Biological Sciences Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
- Ecological Laboratory School of Biological Science and Technology, Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
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5
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Long-term dynamics of the network structures in seed dispersal associated with fluctuations in bird migration and fruit abundance patterns. Oecologia 2022; 198:457-470. [PMID: 35112172 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In temperate zones, seed-dispersal networks by migratory birds are formed on long time scale. In mid-October from 2005 to 2016, to explore the dynamics of the network structures, we examined interannual variability of fruit abundance, bird migration, and seed-dispersal networks in central Japan. For 12 years, the fruit abundance exhibited a remarkable fluctuation across years, with the number of fruiting plants and matured fruits fluctuating repeatedly every other year, leading to the periodic fluctuations. The abundance of migratory birds was also fluctuated. According to the abundance of fruits and migratory birds, the 12 years was classified into three types: frugivores and fruits were abundant, frugivores were abundant but fruits were scarce, and frugivores were scarce. The seed-dispersal networks were investigated by collecting faeces and vomits of migrants. Of the 6652 samples collected from 15 bird species, 1671 (25.1%) included seeds from 60 plant species. Main dispersers were composed of Turdus pallidus, T. obscurus, and Zosterops japonicus. The network structures were almost nested for 12 years. Specifically, the nested structure was developed in years when fruit abundance was low. GLM analyses showed the abundance of migrants, particularly T. pallidus and T. obscurus, had strong positive effects on nested structure. It may be caused by the fact the two Turdus species were more frequently functioning as generalist dispersers when fruit abundance was lower. Our study suggested fruit abundance and foraging behaviour of frugivores determine the network structures of seed dispersal on long time scale.
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Teodosio-Faustino IA, Chávez-González E, Ruelas Inzunza E. In a Neotropical Periurban Park, Fruit Consumption by Birds Seems to Be a Random Process. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.630150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Frugivory interactions between birds and fruit-bearing plants are shaped by the abundance of its interacting species, their temporal overlap, the matching of their morphologies, as well as fruit and seed characteristics. Our study evaluates the role of seven factors of fruits and plants in determining the frequency of whole-fruit consumption by birds. We studied the frugivory network of a Neotropical periurban park in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and quantified relative abundance and phenology of birds and fruit, as well as fruit morphology, chromatic and achromatic contrast, and nutritional content. Using a maximum likelihood approach, we compared the observed interaction network with 62 single- and multiple-variable probabilistic models. Our network is composed of 11 plants and 17 birds involved in 81 frugivory interactions. This network is nested, modular, and relatively specialized. However, the frequency of pairwise interactions is not explained by the variables examined in our probabilistic models and found the null model has the best performance. This indicates that no single predictor or combination of them is better at explaining the observed frequency of pairwise interactions than the null model. The subsequent four top-ranking models, with ΔAIC values < 100, are single-variable ones: carbohydrate content, lipid content, chromatic contrast, and morphology. Two- and three-variable models show the poorest fit to observed data. The lack of a deterministic pattern does not support any of our predictions nor neutral- or niche-based processes shaping the observed pattern of fruit consumption in our interaction network. It may also mean that fruit consumption by birds in this periurban park is a random process. Although our study failed to find a pattern, our work exemplifies how investigations done in urban settings, poor in species and interactions, can help us understand the role of disturbance in the organization of frugivory networks and the processes governing their structure.
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Heleno RH, Mendes F, Coelho AP, Ramos JA, Palmeirim JM, Rainho A, de Lima RF. The upsizing of the São Tomé seed dispersal network by introduced animals. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben H. Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE‐UC), Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas Coimbra Portugal
| | - Filipa Mendes
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE‐UC), Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas Coimbra Portugal
| | - Ana P. Coelho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) and Dept of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
- Dept of Biology and CESAM, Univ. of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago Aveiro Portugal
| | - Jaime A. Ramos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) and Dept of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
| | - Jorge M. Palmeirim
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Dept of Life Sciences, Univ. of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - Ana Rainho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) and Dept of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
| | - Ricardo F. de Lima
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) and Dept of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
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González‐Castro A, Morán‐López T, Nogales M, Traveset A. Changes in the structure of seed dispersal networks when including interaction outcomes from both plant and animal perspectives. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aarón González‐Castro
- Canary Islands Ornithology and Natural History Group (GOHNIC) Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (CSIC‐IPNA) Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | - Teresa Morán‐López
- Grupo de ecología cuantitativa, INIBIOMA‐CONICET San Carlos De Bariloche Rio Negro Argentina
| | - Manuel Nogales
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (CSIC‐IPNA) Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Inst. Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC‐UIB) Mallorca Balearic Islands Spain
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Silva LB, Silva JB, Souza CS, Menck Guimarães M, Sales MF, Castro CC. Plant–animal interactions of understory species in an area of tropical rainforest, north‐eastern Brazil. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Barbosa Silva
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) Recife PEBrazil
| | - Jacilene Bezerra Silva
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) Recife PEBrazil
| | - Camila Silveira Souza
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Botânica Departamento de Botânica Campus Centro PolitécnicoUniversidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba ParanáCEP 81531‐980Brazil
| | - Murilo Menck Guimarães
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Botânica Departamento de Botânica Campus Centro PolitécnicoUniversidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba ParanáCEP 81531‐980Brazil
| | - Margareth Ferreira Sales
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) Recife PEBrazil
| | - Cibele Cardoso Castro
- Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco/Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Garanhuns PE Brazil
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10
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The resilient frugivorous fauna of an urban forest fragment and its potential role in vegetation enrichment. Urban Ecosyst 2021; 24:943-958. [PMID: 33432262 PMCID: PMC7787706 DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Anthropocentric defaunation affects critical ecological processes, such as seed dispersal, putting ecosystems and biomes at risk, and leading to habitat impoverishment. Diverse restoration techniques could reverse the process of habitat impoverishment. However, in most of the restoration efforts, only vegetation cover is targeted. Fauna and flora are treated as isolated components, neglecting a key component of ecosystems’ functioning, the ecological interactions. We tested whether the resilient frugivorous generalist fauna can improve habitat quality by dispersing native plant species through the use of fruit feeders as in a semideciduous seasonal urban forest fragment. A total of 32 sampling points was selected at a heavily degraded 251-ha urban forest fragment, with feeders installed at two heights monitored by camera-traps. Variable quantities of native fruits of 27 zoochorous species were offered alternately in the feeders. Based on more than 36,000 h of video records, Turdus leucomelas (Class Aves), Sapajus nigritus (Class Mammalia), and Salvator merianae (Class Reptilia) were recorded ingesting the highest fruit species richness. Didelphis albiventris (Class Mammalia) was the most frequent visitor but consumed only pulp in most of the visits. The frugivorous birds were recorded at a high visitation rate and consumed a wider variety of fruits. Our study opens a new avenue to combine the traditional approach of ecosystems recovery and ecological interactions restauration in an urban forest fragment.
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11
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Juárez-Juárez B, Cuautle M, Castillo-Guevara C, López-Vázquez K, Gómez-Ortigoza M, Gómez-Lazaga M, Díaz-Castelazo C, Lara C, Pérez-Toledo GR, Reyes M. Neither ant dominance nor abundance explain ant-plant network structure in Mexican temperate forests. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10435. [PMID: 33354422 PMCID: PMC7727367 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ant-plant mutualistic networks tend to have a nested structure that contributes to their stability, but the ecological factors that give rise to this structure are not fully understood. Here, we evaluate whether ant abundance and dominance hierarchy determine the structure of the ant-plant networks in two types of vegetation: oak and grassland, in two temperate environments of Mexico: Flor del Bosque State Park (FBSP) and La Malinche National Park (MNP). We predicted that dominant and abundant ant species make up the core, and submissives, the periphery of the network. We also expected a higher specialization level in the ant trophic level than in plant trophic level due to competition among the ant species for the plant-derived resources. METHODS The ant-plant interaction network was obtained from the frequency of ant-plant interactions. We calculated a dominance hierarchy index for the ants using sampling with baits and evaluated their abundance using pitfall traps. RESULTS In MNP, the Formica spp. species complex formed the core of the network (in both the oak forest and the grassland), while in FBSP, the core species were Prenolepis imparis (oak forest) and Camponotus rubrithorax (grassland). Although these core species were dominant in their respective sites, they were not necessarily the most dominant ant species. Three of the four networks (oak forest and grassland in FBSP, and oak forest in MNP) were nested and had a higher number of plant species than ant species. Although greater specialization was observed in the ant trophic level in the two sites and vegetations, possibly due to competition with the more dominant ant species, this was not statistically significant. In three of these networks (grassland and oak forest of MNP and oak forest of FBSP), we found no correlation between the dominance hierarchy and abundance of the ant species and their position within the network. However, a positive correlation was found between the nestedness contribution value and ant dominance hierarchy in the grassland of the site FBSP, which could be due to the richer ant-plant network and higher dominance index of this community. CONCLUSIONS Our evidence suggests that ant abundance and dominance hierarchy have little influence on network structure in temperate ecosystems, probably due to the species-poor ant-plant network and a dominance hierarchy formed only by the presence of dominant and submissive species with no intermediate dominant species between them (absence of gradient in hierarchy) in these ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Juárez-Juárez
- Maestría en Biotecnología y Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Mariana Cuautle
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Citlalli Castillo-Guevara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Karla López-Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - María Gómez-Ortigoza
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
| | - María Gómez-Lazaga
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Díaz-Castelazo
- Red de Interacciones Multitróficas, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Carlos Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | | | - Miguel Reyes
- Departamento de Actuaría, Física y Matemáticas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
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12
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Pires LP, Melo CD. Seasonal consistency of the assembling rules in a bird-fruiting plant network. ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2020.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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13
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CaraDonna PJ, Burkle LA, Schwarz B, Resasco J, Knight TM, Benadi G, Blüthgen N, Dormann CF, Fang Q, Fründ J, Gauzens B, Kaiser-Bunbury CN, Winfree R, Vázquez DP. Seeing through the static: the temporal dimension of plant-animal mutualistic interactions. Ecol Lett 2020; 24:149-161. [PMID: 33073900 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Most studies of plant-animal mutualistic networks have come from a temporally static perspective. This approach has revealed general patterns in network structure, but limits our ability to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape these networks and to predict the consequences of natural and human-driven disturbance on species interactions. We review the growing literature on temporal dynamics of plant-animal mutualistic networks including pollination, seed dispersal and ant defence mutualisms. We then discuss potential mechanisms underlying such variation in interactions, ranging from behavioural and physiological processes at the finest temporal scales to ecological and evolutionary processes at the broadest. We find that at the finest temporal scales (days, weeks, months) mutualistic interactions are highly dynamic, with considerable variation in network structure. At intermediate scales (years, decades), networks still exhibit high levels of temporal variation, but such variation appears to influence network properties only weakly. At the broadest temporal scales (many decades, centuries and beyond), continued shifts in interactions appear to reshape network structure, leading to dramatic community changes, including loss of species and function. Our review highlights the importance of considering the temporal dimension for understanding the ecology and evolution of complex webs of mutualistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J CaraDonna
- Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60647, USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, P.O. Box 519, Crested Butte, CO, 81224, USA
- Plant Biology and Conservation, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Laura A Burkle
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Benjamin Schwarz
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106, Germany
| | - Julian Resasco
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Tiffany M Knight
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Theodor-Lieser-Straße 4, Halle (Saale), 06120, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Gita Benadi
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany
| | - Carsten F Dormann
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106, Germany
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79104, Germany
| | - Qiang Fang
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Jochen Fründ
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106, Germany
| | - Benoit Gauzens
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christopher N Kaiser-Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Rachael Winfree
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Diego P Vázquez
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79104, Germany
- Argentine Institute for Dryland Research, CONICET, National University of Cuyo, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Mendoza, 5500, Argentina
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, Mendoza, M5502JMA, Argentina
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14
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Chávez-González E, Vizentin-Bugoni J, Vázquez DP, MacGregor-Fors I, Dáttilo W, Ortiz-Pulido R. Drivers of the structure of plant-hummingbird interaction networks at multiple temporal scales. Oecologia 2020; 193:913-924. [PMID: 32772157 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In semi-arid environments, the marked contrast in temperature and precipitation over the year strongly shapes ecological communities. The composition of species and their ecological interactions within a community may vary greatly over time. Although intra-annual variations are often studied, empirical information on how plant-bird relationships are structured within and among years, and how their drivers may change over time are still limited. In this study, we analyzed the temporal dynamics of the structure of plant-hummingbird interaction networks by evaluating changes in species richness, diversity of interactions, modularity, network specialization, nestedness, and β-diversity of interactions throughout four years in a Mexican xeric shrubland landscape. We also evaluated if the relative importance of abundance, phenology, morphology, and nectar sugar content consistently explains the frequency of pairwise interactions between plants and hummingbirds across different years. We found that species richness, diversity of interactions, nestedness, and network specialization did vary within and among years. We also observed that the β-diversity of interactions was high among years and was mostly associated with species turnover (i.e., changes in species composition), with a minor contribution of interaction rewiring (i.e., shifting partner species at different times). Finally, the temporal co-occurrence of hummingbird and plant species among months was the best predictor of the frequency of pairwise interactions, and this pattern was consistent within and among years. Our study underscores the importance of considering the temporal scale to understand how changes in species phenologies, and the resulting temporal co-occurrences influence the structure of interaction networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Chávez-González
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas E Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA
| | - Diego P Vázquez
- Argentine Institute for Dryland Research, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- Red de Ambiente Y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
| | - Raúl Ortiz-Pulido
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas E Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
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Salazar‐Rivera GI, Dáttilo W, Castillo‐Campos G, Flores‐Estévez N, Ramírez García B, Ruelas Inzunza E. The frugivory network properties of a simplified ecosystem: Birds and plants in a Neotropical periurban park. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8579-8591. [PMID: 32884642 PMCID: PMC7452784 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Frugivory networks exhibit a set of properties characterized by a number of network theory-derived metrics. Their structures often form deterministic patterns that can be explained by the functional roles of interacting species. Although we know lots about how these networks are organized when ecosystems are in a complete, functional condition, we know much less about how incomplete and simplified networks (such as those found in urban and periurban parks) are organized, which features are maintained, which ones are not, and why. In this paper, we examine the properties of a network between frugivorous birds and plants in a small Neotropical periurban park. We found a frugivory network composed of 29 species of birds and 23 of plants. The main roles in this network are played by four species of generalist birds (three resident, one migratory: Myiozetetes similis, Turdus grayi, Chlorospingus flavopectus, and Dumetella carolinensis) and three species of plants (one exotic, two early successional: Phoenix canariensis, Phoradendron sp., and Witheringia stramoniifolia). When compared to reference data from other locations in the Neotropics, species richness is low, one important network-level metric is maintained (modularity) whereas another one is not (nestedness). Nestedness, a metric associated with network specialists, is a feature this network lacks. Species-level metrics such as degree, species strength, and module roles, are not maintained. Our work supports modularity as the most pervasive network-level metric of altered habitats. From a successional point of view, our results suggest that properties revealed by species-level indices may be developed at a later time, lagging the acquisition of structural elements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de EcoetologíaInstituto de Ecología A.C.XalapaMexico
| | | | - Norma Flores‐Estévez
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología AplicadaUniversidad VeracruzanaXalapaMexico
| | - Brenda Ramírez García
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y SustentabilidadUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMoreliaMexico
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Messeder JVS, Guerra TJ, Dáttilo W, Silveira FAO. Searching for keystone plant resources in fruit‐frugivore interaction networks across the Neotropics. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- João Vitor S. Messeder
- Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Minas Gerais Brazil
- Center for Ecological Synthesis and Conservation Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Tadeu J. Guerra
- Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología Instituto de Ecología A.C. Veracruz Mexico
| | - Fernando A. O. Silveira
- Center for Ecological Synthesis and Conservation Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Minas Gerais Brazil
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17
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Díaz-Castelazo C, Martínez-Adriano CA, Dáttilo W, Rico-Gray V. Relative contribution of ecological and biological attributes in the fine-grain structure of ant-plant networks. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8314. [PMID: 32161686 PMCID: PMC7050545 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ecological communities of interacting species analyzed as complex networks have shown that species dependence on their counterparts is more complex than expected at random. As for other potentially mutualistic interactions, ant-plant networks mediated by extrafloral nectar show a nested (asymmetric) structure with a core of generalist species dominating the interaction pattern. Proposed factors structuring ecological networks include encounter probability (e.g., species abundances and habitat heterogeneity), behavior, phylogeny, and body size. While the importance of underlying factors that influence the structure of ant-plant networks have been separately explored, the simultaneous contribution of several biological and ecological attributes inherent to the species, guild or habitat level has not been addressed. Methods For a tropical seasonal site we recorded (in 48 censuses) the frequency of pairwise ant-plant interactions mediated by extrafloral nectaries (EFN) on different habitats and studied the resultant network structure. We addressed for the first time the role of mechanistic versus neutral determinants at the ‘fine-grain’ structure (pairwise interactions) of ant-plant networks. We explore the simultaneous contribution of several attributes of plant and ant species (i.e., EFN abundance and distribution, ant head length, behavioral dominance and invasive status), and habitat attributes (i.e., vegetation structure) in prevailing interactions as well as in overall network topology (community). Results Our studied network was highly-nested and non-modular, with core species having high species strengths (higher strength values for ants than plants) and low specialization. Plants had higher dependences on ants than vice versa. We found that habitat heterogeneity in vegetation structure (open vs. shaded habitats) was the main factor explaining network and fine-grain structure, with no evidence of neutral (abundance) effects. Discussion Core ant species are relevant to most plants species at the network showing adaptations to nectar consumption and deterrent behavior. Thus larger ants interact with more plant species which, together with higher dependence of plants on ants, suggests potential biotic defense at a community scale. In our study site, heterogeneity in the ant-plant interactions among habitats is so prevalent that it emerges at community-level structural properties. High frequency of morphologically diverse and temporarily-active EFNs in all habitats suggests the relevance and seasonality of plant biotic defense provided by ants. The robust survey of ecological interactions and their biological/ecological correlates that we addressed provides insight of the interplay between adaptive-value traits and neutral effects in ecological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Díaz-Castelazo
- Red de Interacciones Multitróficas, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Cristian A Martínez-Adriano
- Red de Interacciones Multitróficas, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México.,Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Linares, Nuevo León, México
| | - Wesley Dáttilo
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Victor Rico-Gray
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
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18
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Madrid-López SM, Galindo-González J, Castro-Luna AA. Mango Orchards and Their Importance in Maintaining Phyllostomid Bat Assemblages in a Heterogeneous Landscape. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2019.21.2.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio M. Madrid-López
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada (INBIOTECA), Universidad Veracruzana, Av. De las Culturas Veracruzanas #101, Col. Emiliano Zapata, CP 91090, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Jorge Galindo-González
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada (INBIOTECA), Universidad Veracruzana, Av. De las Culturas Veracruzanas #101, Col. Emiliano Zapata, CP 91090, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Alejandro A. Castro-Luna
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada (INBIOTECA), Universidad Veracruzana, Av. De las Culturas Veracruzanas #101, Col. Emiliano Zapata, CP 91090, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
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Schneiberg I, Boscolo D, Devoto M, Marcilio-Silva V, Dalmaso CA, Ribeiro JW, Ribeiro MC, de Camargo Guaraldo A, Niebuhr BB, Varassin IG. Urbanization homogenizes the interactions of plant-frugivore bird networks. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00927-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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20
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Che X, Chen D, Zhang M, Quan Q, Møller AP, Zou F. Seasonal dynamics of waterbird assembly mechanisms revealed by patterns in phylogenetic and functional diversity in a subtropical wetland. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xianli Che
- South China Botanical GardenChinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource UtilizationGuangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources Guangzhou China
| | - Daojian Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource UtilizationGuangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources Guangzhou China
| | - Min Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource UtilizationGuangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources Guangzhou China
| | - Qing Quan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource UtilizationGuangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources Guangzhou China
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique EvolutionUniversité Paris‐SudCNRSAgroParisTechUniversité Paris‐Saclay Orsay Cedex France
| | - Fasheng Zou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource UtilizationGuangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources Guangzhou China
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21
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Ramos-Robles M, Andresen E, Díaz-Castelazo C. Modularity and robustness of a plant-frugivore interaction network in a disturbed tropical forest. ECOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1446284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellen Andresen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, México
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22
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Fruit traits and temporal abundance shape plant-frugivore interaction networks in a seasonal tropical forest. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105:29. [PMID: 29610984 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between fleshy fruited plants and frugivores are crucial for the structuring and functioning of biotic communities, particularly in tropical forests where both groups are diverse and play different roles in network organization. However, it remains poorly understood how different groups of frugivore species and fruit traits contribute to network structure. We recorded interactions among 28 plant species and three groups of frugivores (birds, bats, and non-flying mammals) in a seasonal forest in Mexico to determine which species contribute more to network structure and evaluate the importance of each species. We also determined whether fruit abundance, water content, morphology traits, and fruiting phenology are related to network parameters: the number of interactions, species contribution to nestedness, and species strength. We found that plants did not depend on a single group of frugivores, but rather on one species of each group: the bird Pitangus sulphuratus, the bat Sturnira parvidens, and the non-flying mammal Procyon lotor. The abundance, size, and water content of the fruits were significantly related to the contribution to nestedness, number of interactions, and species strength index of plant species. Tree species and birds contributed mainly to the nested structure of the network. We show that the structure of plant-frugivore networks in this seasonal forest is non-random and that fruit traits (i.e., abundance, phenology, size, and water content) are important factors shaping plant-frugivore networks. Identification of the key species and their traits that maintain the complex structure of species interactions is therefore fundamental for the integral conservation of tropical forests.
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23
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Vollstädt MGR, Ferger SW, Hemp A, Howell KM, Böhning-Gaese K, Schleuning M. Seed-dispersal networks respond differently to resource effects in open and forest habitats. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian G. R. Vollstädt
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberganlage 25 DE-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Inst. for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe Univ.; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Stefan W. Ferger
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberganlage 25 DE-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Andreas Hemp
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberganlage 25 DE-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Dept of Plant Systematics; Univ. of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
| | - Kim M. Howell
- Dept of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation; Univ. of Dar es Salaam; Dar es Salaam Tanzania
| | - Katrin Böhning-Gaese
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberganlage 25 DE-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Inst. for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe Univ.; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Matthias Schleuning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberganlage 25 DE-60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
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24
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Almeida AD, Mikich SB. Combining plant-frugivore networks for describing the structure of neotropical communities. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana de Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Inst. de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Univ. Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”. Rua Cristóvão Colombo 2265, 15054-000; São José do Rio Preto SP Brazil
- Bioenv Monitoramento Ambiental, Rua Pilulares 17, 29199-072; Aracruz ES Brazil
| | - Sandra Bos Mikich
- Embrapa Florestas, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária; Colombo PR Brazil
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25
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Tylianakis JM, Morris RJ. Ecological Networks Across Environmental Gradients. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2017. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason M. Tylianakis
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J. Morris
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
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26
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Zapata-Mesa N, Montoya-Bustamante S, Murillo-García OE. Temporal variation in bat-fruit interactions: Foraging strategies influence network structure over time. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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Jara-Guerrero A, Escribano-Avila G, Espinosa CI, De la Cruz M, Méndez M. White-tailed deer as the last megafauna dispersing seeds in Neotropical dry forests: the role of fruit and seed traits. Biotropica 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Jara-Guerrero
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas; Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; CP.: 11-01-608 Loja Ecuador
| | - Gema Escribano-Avila
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas; Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; CP.: 11-01-608 Loja Ecuador
- IMEDEA- Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (CSIC-UIB); Esporles Illes Balears Spain
| | - Carlos Iván Espinosa
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas; Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; CP.: 11-01-608 Loja Ecuador
| | - Marcelino De la Cruz
- Departamento de Biología y Geología; Física y Química Inorgánica; Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; E-28933 Madrid Spain
| | - Marcos Méndez
- Departamento de Biología y Geología; Física y Química Inorgánica; Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; E-28933 Madrid Spain
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28
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Darosci AAB, Bruna EM, Motta-Junior JC, Ferreira CDS, Blake JG, Munhoz CBR. Seasonality, diaspore traits and the structure of plant-frugivore networks in Neotropical savanna forest. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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29
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Laurindo RDS, Gregorin R, Tavares DC. Effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the temporal dynamic of bat-fruit interactions. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Donoso I, Schleuning M, García D, Fründ J. Defaunation effects on plant recruitment depend on size matching and size trade-offs in seed-dispersal networks. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20162664. [PMID: 28566481 PMCID: PMC5454253 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defaunation by humans causes a loss of large animals in many ecosystems globally. Recent work has emphasized the consequences of downsizing in animal communities for ecosystem functioning. However, no study so far has integrated network theory and life-history trade-offs to mechanistically evaluate the functional consequences of defaunation in plant-animal networks. Here, we simulated an avian seed-dispersal network and its derived ecosystem function seedling recruitment to assess the relative importance of different size-related mechanisms. Specifically, we considered size matching (between bird size and seed size) and size trade-offs, which are driven by differences in plant or animal species abundance (negative size-quantity relationship) as well as in recruitment probability and disperser quality (positive size-quality relationship). Defaunation led to impoverished seedling communities in terms of diversity and seed size, but only if models accounted for size matching. In addition, size trade-off in plants, in concert with size matching, provoked rapid decays in seedling abundance in response to defaunation. These results underscore a disproportional importance of large animals for ecosystem functions. Downsizing in ecological networks will have severe consequences for ecosystem functioning, especially in interaction networks that are structured by size matching between plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Donoso
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas and Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Biodiversidad (UMIB, CSIC-Uo-PA), University of Oviedo, Valentín Andrés Álvarez s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Matthias Schleuning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Daniel García
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas and Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Biodiversidad (UMIB, CSIC-Uo-PA), University of Oviedo, Valentín Andrés Álvarez s/n, 33071 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jochen Fründ
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Strasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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31
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Gonzalez O, Loiselle BA. Species interactions in an Andean bird-flowering plant network: phenology is more important than abundance or morphology. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2789. [PMID: 27994982 PMCID: PMC5157195 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological constraints and neutral processes have been proposed to explain the properties of plant–pollinator networks. Using interactions between nectarivorous birds (hummingbirds and flowerpiercers) and flowering plants in high elevation forests (i.e., “elfin” forests) of the Andes, we explore the importance of biological constraints and neutral processes (random interactions) to explain the observed species interactions and network metrics, such as connectance, specialization, nestedness and asymmetry. In cold environments of elfin forests, which are located at the top of the tropical montane forest zone, many plants are adapted for pollination by birds, making this an ideal system to study plant–pollinator networks. To build the network of interactions between birds and plants, we used direct field observations. We measured abundance of birds using mist-nets and flower abundance using transects, and phenology by scoring presence of birds and flowers over time. We compared the length of birds’ bills to flower length to identify “forbidden interactions”—those interactions that could not result in legitimate floral visits based on mis-match in morphology. Diglossa flowerpiercers, which are characterized as “illegitimate” flower visitors, were relatively abundant. We found that the elfin forest network was nested with phenology being the factor that best explained interaction frequencies and nestedness, providing support for biological constraints hypothesis. We did not find morphological constraints to be important in explaining observed interaction frequencies and network metrics. Other network metrics (connectance, evenness and asymmetry), however, were better predicted by abundance (neutral process) models. Flowerpiercers, which cut holes and access flowers at their base and, consequently, facilitate nectar access for other hummingbirds, explain why morphological mis-matches were relatively unimportant in this system. Future work should focus on how changes in abundance and phenology, likely results of climate change and habitat fragmentation, and the role of nectar robbers impact ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant–pollinator (or flower-visitor) interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Gonzalez
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Grupo Aves del Peru, Lima, Peru; Department of Natural Sciences, Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, GA, United States of America
| | - Bette A Loiselle
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Center for Latin American Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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