Do frugivores enhance germination success of plant species? An experimental approach

Transcriptome databases are an important source of structural and functional information about an organism, for example, plants without a sequenced genome. This is the case of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.), one of the most important oil-producing plant species all over the world. In addition, reproductive tissues and seeds are the less studied part of these plant species in spite of their importance in allergies, germination success, plant sterility, as well as being an important source of valuable components for agro-food industries, including seed storage proteins and trialcylglycerides. Therefore, an automated workflow has been developed using our tool AutoFlow to construct an annotated transcriptome from raw reads (Sanger, Illumina or Roche/454 or a combination of them) combining open source software (Bowtie2, CAP2, Euler-SR, MIRA3, Velvet/Oases, AutoFact, MREPS, GigaBayes…) with software developed by our group (SeqTrimNext, Full-LengtherNext, Sma3). The resulting transcriptomes were used to build a database ReprOlive (http://reprolive.eez.csic.es) where descriptions, GO terms, InterPro signatures, EC numbers, graphical localization of enzymes in KEGG pathways, ORFs, SSRs, and the corresponding orthologues in Arabidopsis thaliana from TAIR and RefSeq can be browsed. Finally, expression data can be accessed and, in addition to a BLAST search, a the semantic conceptualization using RDF allowing for Linked Data search was implemented to extract the most updated information related to enzymes, interactions, allergens, and structures. The olive tree reproductive transcriptome was constructed from 2,077,309 raw reads (454/Roche Titanium+) and 1,549 Sanger sequences from different stages of pollen and stigma development, resulting in 72,846 contigs, of which 63,965 (87.8%) included at least one functional annotation, and 55,356 (75.9%) had an orthologue. Using different seed stages, 1,425,911 raw reads (454/Roche Titanium+) are in use for obtaining the seed transcriptome. Uses of these transcriptomes can be found in communications by Carmona et al. and JIménez-Quesada et al. in this congress. This work was supported by co-funding from the ERDF and Spanish MINECO and Andalusian PAIDI to the grants BFU2011-22779, TIN2011-25840, TIN2014-58304-R, P10-CVI-6075, P10-AGR-6274, P11-CVI-7487, P11-TIC-7529 and P12-TIC-1519. Authors also acknowledge the use of the SCBI facilities of UMA.

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Within-crown distribution, attack, and germination of Curculio occidentis-damaged and Cydia latiferreana-damaged Garry oak acorns in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2012.43 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 144 (3) ◽

pp. 419-434

Author(s):

Imre S. Otvos ◽

Doris A. Mills ◽

Nicholas Conder

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Plant Species ◽

Endangered Plant ◽

Feeding Damage ◽

Quercus Garryana ◽

Damage Category ◽

Rare And Endangered ◽

Germination Success ◽

First Time ◽

Weevil Infestation

AbstractGarry oak, Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hooker (Fagaceae), is part of a unique ecosystem in British Columbia, Canada, which is rich in rare and endangered plant species. Garry oak recruitment is critical to the existence of this ecosystem, therefore, the effect of Curculio occidentis (Casey) (filbert weevil; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (filbertworm; Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on acorn germination is of great interest. Together these two insects infested 80.7%, 75.1%, and 51.3% of acorns collected in 1996, 1997 (low crop years), and 1998 (high crop year), respectively. Filbertworm infestation did not vary with crown level. Filbert weevil infestation did not vary with crown level during poor crop years, but significantly more filbert weevil-infested acorns were found in the lower than the middle and upper portions of the trees during the high crop year. Severely damaged acorns did not germinate, and acorns with light to moderate feeding damage had lower germination success than undamaged acorns, but growth of germinated seedlings in the light to moderate damage category was unaffected. This study showed, for the first time, that these two insect species infested a large proportion of Garry oak acorns on the tree in British Columbia, and that light to moderate damage of the acorn has relatively low impact on seedling growth.

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Grazing and warming effects on shrub growth and plant species composition in subalpine dry tundra: An experimental approach

Journal of Vegetation Science ◽

10.1111/jvs.12752 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 698-708 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jørn Olav Løkken ◽

Annika Hofgaard ◽

Linda Dalen ◽

Håkan Hytteborn

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Experimental Approach ◽

Plant Species Composition

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Effects of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) on seeds dispersed by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in the French Guianan rain forest

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467499000711 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 129-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

François Feer

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Maximum Size ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Alouatta Seniculus ◽

Seed Fate ◽

Howler Monkeys ◽

Germination Success

The dispersal of seeds by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) and the role of dung beetles in determining the fate of the dispersed seeds were studied at Nouragues Station, French Guiana, during three 2-mo periods (April–May, 1995–97). Howler monkeys were observed to disperse seeds of 47 plant species. Monkey dung attracted 57 species of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae), including tunnellers (maximum size 37 mm) and ball rollers (12.6 mm). The rate of seed burial was negatively correlated with seed size (10 plant species) and positively correlated with dung beetle size (six species of tunnellers). More than 80% of small seeds (< 5 mm) and 30% of large seeds (22 mm), were buried by the largest tunnellers. Dung beetles buried 13 to 23% of seeds ranging 8–13 mm in width. The maximum average depth of burial was 28 cm and varied according to the species of dung beetle. The rate of disappearance of large dung clumps varied during the day and was completed by nocturnal dung beetles. Seeds of Chrysophyllum lucentifolium (Sapotaceae) buried at 5 and 10 cm depths did not suffer predation, but showed low germination success compared to seeds left at the soil surface. Dung beetles affected the survival and distribution of a portion of the seeds dispersed by monkeys, and their relative importance in shaping seed fate depended on seed and beetle size.

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Physiological dormancy broken by endozoochory: Austral parakeets (Enicognathus ferrugineus) as legitimate dispersers of calafate (Berberis microphylla) in the Patagonian Andes

Journal of Plant Ecology ◽

10.1093/jpe/rtaa041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 538-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carolina Bravo ◽

Daniel Chamorro ◽

Fernando Hiraldo ◽

Karina Speziale ◽

Sergio A Lambertucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Gut Passage ◽

Faecal Matter ◽

Mutualistic Interaction ◽

Physiological Dormancy ◽

Relevant Role ◽

Germination Success ◽

Patagonian Andes ◽

Faecal Extract

Abstract Aims Seed dispersal by endozoochory is an important process in plant regeneration and the establishment of new populations. Seeds with dormancy may especially benefit after disperser gut passage. However, the ways in which gut passage affect the germination of plant species with physiological dormancy remain unclear. Here, we experimentally assessed the mutualistic interaction between the Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) as a disperser of calafate (Berberis microphylla), a thorny bush inhabiting the understory of the Austral temperate forests of South America with seeds that are characterized by deep physiological dormancy. Methods Germination success and viability of calafate seeds obtained from faeces and from intact fruits were tested under four treatments: (i) digested seeds, (ii) digested seeds with faecal extract, (iii) intact seeds from fruit and (iv) intact seeds from fruit with pulp. Important Findings About 65% of the Austral parakeet droppings contained calafate seeds. Viability of seeds did not differ between treatments. However, germination was significantly higher in digested seeds than in intact seeds from fruits, while no difference was found between faecal and pulp extracts. Neither faecal matter nor fruit pulp provided seeds with any ecological advantages derived from enhancing germinability, but did confer some disadvantage in germination time. Faecal matter is expected to be completely lacking around seeds after several months under snow before germinating in the following spring, given intense washing due to persistent rain and the spring thaw in the Patagonian Andes. The higher germinability along with faster germination of digested seeds supports the hypothesis of a legitimate mutualistic interaction between Austral parakeets and calafate. We hypothesized that the passage through the disperser digestive tract might break physiological dormancy as differences in germinability between ingested and non-ingested seeds. Our results highlight the relevant role of endozoochory in plant species with physiological dormancy living in highly seasonal environments.

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Flying foxes create extensive seed shadows and enhance germination success of pioneer plant species in deforested Madagascan landscapes

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0184023 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. e0184023 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ryszard Oleksy ◽

Luca Giuggioli ◽

Thomas J. McKetterick ◽

Paul A. Racey ◽

Gareth Jones

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Flying Foxes ◽

Pioneer Plant ◽

Germination Success ◽

Seed Shadows

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Establishment success and persistence of threatened plant translocations in south west Western Australia: an experimental approach

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt17187 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 338 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rebecca Dillon ◽

Leonie Monks ◽

David Coates

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Western Australia ◽

Experimental Approach ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Threatened Plant ◽

South West ◽

Threatened Plant Species ◽

Plant Persistence

Establishment of viable threatened plant populations through translocations presents significant practical and logistical challenges. To address these challenges there is a need for experimental studies that inform refinement of translocation methodologies to optimise seedling survival during the establishment phase. In the present study we investigated the effect of three post planting techniques on the survival and growth of six translocated threatened plant species in south-west Western Australia over a 10-year period. Planted seedlings received summer watering for the first year, mulch or protection from vertebrate herbivores. Survival of seedlings was significantly enhanced in both watering and fencing treatments, but was not positively influenced by the mulch treatment. Plant growth was also significantly improved by the fencing treatment. Results showed that both fencing and supplementary summer watering were two very effective approaches for enhancing seedling establishment and plant persistence. We emphasise the value of integrating an experimental approach involving long-term monitoring into threatened plant species translocations and recovery programs for improving plant translocation success.

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Seed germination and early seedling establishment of some elephant-dispersed species in Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, south-western Cameroon

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467403003262 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 229-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Anthony Chifu Nchanji ◽

Andrew J. Plumptre

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Forest Soil ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Establishment ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Germination Time ◽

Germination Success ◽

Early Seedling ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Elephant Dung

Effects of the elephant gut and elephant dung on seed germination and early seedling establishment/growth were investigated in Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary using undestroyed seeds of 14 plant species sorted from fresh elephant dung between 1 June 1994 and 31 May 1995 and similar seeds extracted from fresh ripe fruits fallen on the forest floor within the same period both sown in fresh elephant dung and forest soil. Parameters measured were final germination success, germination time and seedling growth rate. Results indicated that two species, Panda oleosa and Poga oleosa, did not germinate at all after 365 d irrespective of their sources and media of planting. Germination success observed in ingested seeds was significantly different from that observed in seeds from fresh fruits. Germination success observed in elephant dung was not significantly different from that in forest soil. Mean germination time varied widely between species and treatments but was generally shorter in seeds that passed through the elephant gut than those collected from fresh ripe fruits and these differences in mean germination time were significant in 92% of the species that germinated. Growth rates of seedlings from ingested seeds were higher than those from fresh ripe fruits especially in elephant dung. Growth medium was highly significant to growth in 10 of 12 species (83%) and source was important only to two species (16%) while their combined interacting effects were significant to three of the 12 species (25%). It is concluded that ingestion of seeds by the elephant is important in the germination of some rain-forest species and the elephant dung that contains the seeds dispersed is very important in the rapid growth of the seedlings. On the basis of germination success plant species that are absolutely or exclusively dependent on elephants for dispersal/germination are absent in Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, while Omphalocarpum elatum and Strychnos aculeata would be on the basis of fruit morphology.

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