scholarly journals Frugivory and seed dispersal in a hyperdiverse plant clade and its role as a keystone resource for the Neotropical fauna

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Vitor S Messeder ◽  
Fernando A O Silveira ◽  
Tatiana G Cornelissen ◽  
Lisieux F Fuzessy ◽  
Tadeu J Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Dispersal Mechanism ◽  
Neotropical Fauna ◽  
Coexisting Species ◽  
Seed Handling

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.

scholarly journals Animal movement drives variation in seed dispersal distance in a plant–animal network

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1894) ◽  
pp. 20182007 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rehm ◽  
E. Fricke ◽  
J. Bender ◽  
J. Savidge ◽  
H. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Dispersal Distances ◽  
Seed Dispersal Distance ◽  
Passage Times

Frugivores play differing roles in shaping dispersal patterns yet seed dispersal distance is rarely quantified across entire communities. We model seed dispersal distance using gut passage times and bird movement for the majority (39 interactions) of known bird–tree interactions on the island of Saipan to highlight differences in seed dispersal distances provided by the five avian frugivores. One bird species was found to be a seed predator rather than a disperser. The remaining four avian species dispersed seeds but differences in seed dispersal distance were largely driven by interspecific variation in bird movement rather than intraspecific variation in gut passage times. The median dispersal distance was at least 56 m for all species-specific combinations, indicating all species play a role in reducing high seed mortality under the parent tree. However, one species—the Micronesian Starling—performed 94% of dispersal events greater than 500 m, suggesting this species could be a key driver of long-distance dispersal services (e.g. linking populations, colonizing new areas). Assessing variation in dispersal patterns across this network highlights key sources of variation in seed dispersal distances and suggests which empirical approaches are sufficient for modelling how seed dispersal mutualisms affect populations and communities.

scholarly journals Megafauna Seed Dispersal in the Neotropics: A Meta-Analysis Shows No Genetic Signal of Loss of Long-Distance Seed Dispersal

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosane G. Collevatti ◽  
Jacqueline S. Lima ◽  
Liliana Ballesteros-Mejia
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Genetic Signal

How do primates affect seed germination? A meta-analysis of gut passage effects on neotropical plants

Oikos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisieux F. Fuzessy ◽  
Tatiana G. Cornelissen ◽  
Charles Janson ◽  
Fernando A. O. Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Neotropical Plants

scholarly journals Seed dispersal by Ceratogymna hornbills in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENNETH D. WHITNEY ◽  
MARK K. FOGIEL ◽  
AARON M. LAMPERTI ◽  
KIMBERLY M. HOLBROOK ◽  
DONALD J. STAUFFER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Forest Elephants ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Passage Times

Seed dispersal is a process critical to the maintenance of tropical forests, yet little is known about the interactions of most dispersers with their communities. In the Dja Reserve, Cameroon, seed dispersal by the hornbills Certaogymna atrata, C. cylindricus and C. fistulator (Aves: Bucerotidae) was evaluated with respect to the taxonomic breadth of plants dispersed, location of seed deposition and effects on seed germination. Collectively, the three hornbill species consumed fruits from 59 tree and liana species, and likely provided dispersal for 56 of them. Hornbill-dispersed tree species composed 22% of the known tree flora of the site. Hornbill visit lengths, visit frequencies, and seed passage times indicated that few seeds were deposited beneath parent trees; in five hornbill/tree species pairings studied, 69–100% of the seeds ingested were deposited away from the parent trees. Germination trials showed that hornbill gut passage is gentle on seeds. Of 24 tree species tested, 23 germinated after passage by hornbills; of 17 planted with controls taken directly from trees, only four species showed evidence of inhibition of germination rate, while seven experienced unchanged germinated rates and six experienced enhanced germination rates. Results suggested that Certaogymna hornbill rank among the most important seed dispersers found in Afrotropical forests, and they deserve increased conservation attention. Ceratogymna hornbills are likely to become increasingly important in forest regeneration as populations of larger mammalian seed dispersers (such as forest elephants and primates) diminish.

scholarly journals Endozoochory and Germination of Selected Ingested Seeds by Malayan Box Turtles (Cuoraamboinensis) from Laguna Province, Philippines

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Kliff Eldry G. Ibañez ◽  
Larry V. Padilla
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Plant Seed ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Box Turtles ◽  
Percent Germination ◽  
Pass Through

Aims: Malayan box turtles’ (Cuoraamboinensis) ecological niche are essential in an ecosystem but are often overlooked. This study investigated the germination of selected seeds that passed through the gut of Malayan box turtles to determine its role in promoting seed dispersal and aiding seed germination. Study Design:Experimental approach. Place and Duration of Study:Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) and Dasmarinas, Cavite between June 2016 to March 2017. Methodology: The seeds that passed through the turtle’s gut (Gut Passed Seeds) and seeds that did not pass through its gut (Mechanically Extracted Seeds) underwent comparative germination test. The Germination Rate (GR) and Percent Germination (%GR) of each group were determined in the study.Seed shadowing was also conducted to evaluate the turtle’s seed dispersal capacity (endozoochory). Results: Results showed that after gut passage, seed GR and %GR were enhanced on Lycopersiconesculentum, Carica papaya, Psidiumguajava, and Muntingiacalabura. However, Germination Rate and Percent Germination of Passifloraquadrangularis decreased after gut passage. Statistical analyses revealed that there is a significant difference in the GR and %G of M. calabura and %G of L. esculentum, and P. quadrangularis. Thread trailing method showed that C. amboinensis can disperse seeds at a distance of 24.8 to 52.8 meters. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the important role of C. amboinensis in the ecosystem through its contribution to plant seed germination and dispersal.It showed that Malayan box turtles are not only seed dispersal agents but are also important in the germination of seeds that they have ingested and defecated.

scholarly journals Long Distance Seed Dispersal by Forest Elephants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Poulsen ◽  
Christopher Beirne ◽  
Colin Rundel ◽  
Melissa Baldino ◽  
Seokmin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Passage Time ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Forest Elephants ◽  
Dispersal Distances

By dispersing seeds long distances, large, fruit-eating animals influence plant population spread and community dynamics. After fruit consumption, animal gut passage time and movement determine seed dispersal patterns and distances. These, in turn, are influenced by extrinsic, environmental variables and intrinsic, individual-level variables. We simulated seed dispersal by forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) by integrating gut passage data from wild elephants with movement data from 96 individuals. On average, elephants dispersed seeds 5.3 km, with 89% of seeds dispersed farther than 1 km. The longest simulated seed dispersal distance was 101 km, with an average maximum dispersal distance of 40.1 km. Seed dispersal distances varied among national parks, perhaps due to unmeasured environmental differences such as habitat heterogeneity and configuration, but not with human disturbance or habitat openness. On average, male elephants dispersed seeds farther than females. Elephant behavioral traits strongly influenced dispersal distances, with bold, exploratory elephants dispersing seeds 1.1 km farther than shy, idler elephants. Protection of forest elephants, particularly males and highly mobile, exploratory individuals, is critical to maintaining long distance seed dispersal services that shape plant communities and tropical forest habitat.

scholarly journals Frugivore gut passage increases seed germination: an updated meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haldre S Rogers ◽  
Brittany R Cavazos ◽  
Ann Marie Gawel ◽  
Alex T Karnish ◽  
Courtenay A Ray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Multiple Predictor ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Pulp Removal

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.

Frugivory and seed dispersal effectiveness in two Miconia (Melastomataceae) species from ferruginous campo rupestre

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra M. O. Santos ◽  
Claudia M. Jacobi ◽  
Fernando A. O. Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Campo Rupestre ◽  
Seed Limitation ◽  
Seed Dispersal Effectiveness ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Dispersal Effectiveness

AbstractSeed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) is a useful framework to explore the evolutionary and ecological consequences of seed dispersal to plant fitness. However, SDE is poorly studied in tropical open grasslands. Here, we studied both quantitative and qualitative components of SDE in two species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) from ferruginous campo rupestre, a vegetation highly threatened by mining activities. We determined fruit traits and fruit availability and found that fruits of both species are produced in times of resource scarcity at the study site. Based on the number of visits and the number of fruits removed per visit, we calculated the quantitative component of SDE for both species. Finally, we explored the qualitative component of SDE by means of a controlled experiment that simulated the effects of gut passage on seed germination. Bird species differed strongly in the quantitative component of SDE. Gut passage did not affect germination compared with hand-extracted seeds, except for a minor negative effect on germination time in M. pepericarpa. However, seeds within intact fruits showed lower germination percentages compared with hand-extracted seeds. Our data indicate that Miconia species from ferruginous campo rupestre are visited by a diverse assemblage of generalist birds that differ in quantitative, but not qualitative, seed dispersal effectiveness. We argue that planting Miconia species can overcome seed limitation in degraded areas and thus assist ecological restoration after mining abandonment.

Origin and deposition sites influence seed germination and seedling survival of Manilkara zapota: implications for long-distance, animal-mediated seed dispersal

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina O'Farrill ◽  
Colin A. Chapman ◽  
Andrew Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Transplant Experiment ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Manilkara Zapota ◽  
Survival Probabilities

AbstractThe distribution and dynamics of plant populations depend on the recruitment of young individuals, which is influenced by seed production, animal seed dispersal, dispersal distance, and the deposition of seeds in favourable places for seed germination/establishment and seedling survival. In particular, seeds dispersed over long distances will likely encounter new environmental conditions that occur at large spatial scales, with seed and seedling survival influenced by the adaptation of plant populations to soil and climate conditions. In this paper, it is hypothesized that seed germination and seedling survival probabilities depend on seed origin and deposition sites. A reciprocal seed and seedling transplant experiment was carried out with zapote seeds (Manilkara zapota) to determine the effect of origin and deposition sites on seed germination and seedling survival over a year in the Greater Calakmul Region of Mexico. Two origin and two deposition sites were selected that show different soil moisture levels within the habitat of the Baird's tapir, a major seed disperser of M. zapota seeds. The results show that sites of origin and deposition influenced seed germination and seedling survival probabilities. This suggests that the displacement of seeds far from parent trees, while potentially reducing intraspecific competition, does not ensure their survival, and that seeds need to be deposited in microsites within their environmental tolerance for dispersal to be successful. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance of field experiments to provide strong inference about the effects of environmental conditions on recruitment and distribution of plant species.

Mechanistic Analytical Models for Long-Distance Seed Dispersal by Wind

2005 ◽  
Vol 166 (3) ◽  
pp. 368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katul ◽  
Porporato ◽  
Nathan ◽  
Siqueira ◽  
Soons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Long Distance
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