A meta-analysis of the effect of gut treatment on seed germination.

Author(s):  
A. Traveset ◽  
M. Verdú
2014 ◽  
Vol 202 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Marty ◽  
Hormoz BassiriRad

Oikos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisieux F. Fuzessy ◽  
Tatiana G. Cornelissen ◽  
Charles Janson ◽  
Fernando A. O. Silveira

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Fernández‐Pascual ◽  
Angelino Carta ◽  
Andrea Mondoni ◽  
Lohengrin A. Cavieres ◽  
Sergey Rosbakh ◽  
...  

Plant Ecology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 219 (11) ◽  
pp. 1283-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Soltani ◽  
Carol C. Baskin ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Siavash Heshmati ◽  
Marieh S. Mirfazeli

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Vitor S Messeder ◽  
Fernando A O Silveira ◽  
Tatiana G Cornelissen ◽  
Lisieux F Fuzessy ◽  
Tadeu J Guerra

Abstract Background and Aims Much of our understanding of the ecology and evolution of seed dispersal in the Neotropics is founded on studies involving the animal-dispersed, hyperdiverse plant clade Miconia (Melastomataceae). Nonetheless, no formal attempt has been made to establish its relevance as a model system or indeed provide evidence of the role of frugivores as Miconia seed dispersers. Methods We built three Miconia databases (fruit phenology/diaspore traits, fruit–frugivore interactions and effects on seed germination after gut passage) to determine how Miconia fruiting phenology and fruit traits for >350 species interact with and shape patterns of frugivore selection. In addition, we conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of animal gut passage/seed handling on Miconia germination. Key Results Miconia produce numerous small berries that enclose numerous tiny seeds within water- and sugar-rich pulps. In addition, coexisting species provide sequential, year long availability of fruits within communities, with many species producing fruits in periods of resource scarcity. From 2396 pairwise interactions, we identified 646 animal frugivore species in five classes, 22 orders and 60 families, including birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and ants that consume Miconia fruits. Endozoochory is the main dispersal mechanism, but gut passage effects on germination were specific to animal clades; birds, monkeys and ants reduced seed germination percentages, while opossums increased it. Conclusions The sequential fruiting phenologies and wide taxonomic and functional diversity of animal vectors associated with Miconia fruits underscore the likely keystone role that this plant clade plays in the Neotropics. By producing fruits morphologically and chemically accessible to a variety of animals, Miconia species ensure short- and long-distance seed dispersal and constitute reliable resources that sustain entire frugivore assemblages.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haldre S Rogers ◽  
Brittany R Cavazos ◽  
Ann Marie Gawel ◽  
Alex T Karnish ◽  
Courtenay A Ray ◽  
...  

Many plants rely on animal mutualists for reproduction. Quantifying how animal mutualists impact plant performance provides a foundation for modelling how change in animal communities affects the composition and functioning of plant communities. We performed a meta-analysis of 2539 experiments, 6 times more than the last comprehensive meta-analysis, examining how gut passage by frugivores influences seed germination. We simultaneously analyzed multiple predictor variables related to study methodology, location, and frugivore identity to disentangle methodological from ecological impacts on effect sizes. We found that gut passage by birds, fish, reptiles, bats, primates, and other mammals on average increased seed germination, but that the magnitude varied across vertebrate groups. The positive effects of gut passage were largely explained by the de-inhibitory effects of pulp removal rather than by the scarification of seed tissues. Some previous studies and meta-analyses that found no effect of gut passage only tested scarification or did not distinguish between these tests of scarification and pulp removal. We found that, for a typical fleshy-fruited plant species, the lack of gut passage reduces germination by 60%. From an evolutionary perspective, this indicates a large risk associated with reliance on animal mutualists that is balanced against the benefits of animal-mediated seed dispersal. From a conservation perspective, this highlights the potential for large demographic consequences of frugivore declines on plant populations. Our database and findings advance quantitative predictions for the role of fruit-frugivore interactions in shaping plant communities in the Anthropocene.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Wei ◽  
Yan Meng ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Liyong Chen

The purpose of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if low-ratio n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation affects serum inflammation markers based on current studies.


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