scholarly journals Bird‐mediated seed dispersal: reduced digestive efficiency in active birds modulates the dispersal capacity of plant seeds

Oikos ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (7) ◽  
pp. 899-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Kleyheeg ◽  
Casper H. A. van Leeuwen ◽  
Mary A. Morison ◽  
Bart A. Nolet ◽  
Merel B. Soons
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Digestive Efficiency ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Plant Seeds

Influence of Neighboring Vegetation Height on Seed Dispersal: Implications for Invasive Plant Management

Weed Science ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 626-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk W. Davies ◽  
Roger L. Sheley
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Wind Dispersal ◽  
Invasive Plant Management ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Vegetation Height

Controlling invasive plant infestations is very costly and often unsuccessful. Preventing invasions is more cost-effective than controlling invasive plants after they are established. Because prevention guidelines do not suggest any tools or methods to limit wind dispersal of invasive plant seeds, we investigated the influence of neighboring vegetation height on seed dispersal of a wind-dispersed (yellow salsify) and nonwind-dispersed (medusahead) species. To examine the influence of neighboring vegetation height on dispersal, seeds of both species were released in front of an artificial stand of desert wheatgrass in a modified wind tunnel. Treatments were a complete factorial design with two species, four vegetation heights (10, 30, 40, and 60 cm), three wind speeds (3, 5.5, and 10 km h−1), and three release distances from the neighboring vegetation (0, 15, and 30 cm). The ability of medusahead and yellow salsify seeds to disperse was influenced by the height of neighboring vegetation. Increasing height of neighboring vegetation decreased the number of yellow salsify seeds dispersing across neighboring vegetation. The greatest percentage of medusahead seeds dispersed across the neighboring vegetation was at the shortest height. Based on these results, we suggest that maintaining or promoting tall vegetation neighboring invasive plant infestations may reduce wind dispersal of seeds. More research is needed to investigate the influence of varying heights, densities, structural attributes, and composition of vegetation neighboring infestations and the dispersal of invasive plants.

scholarly journals Interspecific Difference in Seed Dispersal Characteristics between Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata) and Sympatric Japanese Martens (Martes melampus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-720
Author(s):  
Yamato Tsuji ◽  
Risma Yanti ◽  
Atsushi Takizawa ◽  
Toshio Hagiwara
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Macaca Fuscata ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Japanese Macaques ◽  
Interspecific Difference ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Martes Melampus

We compared the characteristics of seeds within faeces between semi-terrestrial Japanese macaques (<i>Macaca fuscata</i>) and sympatric arboreal Japanese martens (<i>Martes melampus</i>) in Shiga Heights, central Japan. We collected faecal samples of the two mammalian species for 1 year (<i>n</i> = 229 for macaques and <i>n</i> = 22 for martens). We then compared the proportion of seed occurrence, life-form composition, number of seeds and species richness within single faecal samples, and the seed intact ratio between the two mammalian species. We detected seeds from 20 and 7 species from macaque and marten faeces, respectively. Macaque faeces contained seeds of multiple strata, while marten faeces contained no herbaceous plant seeds. Seed sizes within faeces showed no interspecific difference. For macaques, seeds were found within faecal samples collected in late spring to late fall, while for martens, seeds were found between summer and winter. The proportion of seed occurrence was greater in summer (both species) and fall (macaques), which implied that the seed dispersal roles of macaques and martens was greater in these seasons. The mean seed number (across species), intact ratio of seeds (high for both species) and seed species richness within single faecal samples of macaques and martens showed no significant differences, but for several species, martens defecated more seeds than macaques and showed higher intact ratio. Our study indicates that sympatric mammals in the temperate regions of Japan contribute differently to seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.

Seed dispersal capacity of sheep and goats in a near-coastal dry grassland habitat

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 508-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Benthien ◽  
J. Bober ◽  
J. Castens ◽  
C. Stolter
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Sheep And Goats

Seed dispersal capacity of Salix caprea L. assessed by seed trapping and parentage analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Tiebel ◽  
Ludger Leinemann ◽  
Bernhard Hosius ◽  
Robert Schlicht ◽  
Nico Frischbier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Parentage Analysis ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Salix Caprea

Seed dispersal capacity and post-dispersal fate of the invasive Spartina alterniflora in saltmarshes of the Yangtze Estuary

2016 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derong Xiao ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Liquan Zhang ◽  
Zhenchang Zhu ◽  
Kun Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Spartina Alterniflora ◽  
Yangtze Estuary ◽  
The Yangtze Estuary ◽  
Dispersal Capacity

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 Endozoochory by mallard in New Zealand: what seeds are dispersed and how far?

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riley D. Bartel ◽  
Jennifer L. Sheppard ◽  
Ádám Lovas-Kiss ◽  
Andy J. Green
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Terrestrial Plants ◽  
Indigenous Status ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Study Sites

In Europe and North America waterfowl are major dispersers of aquatic and terrestrial plants, but in New Zealand their role has yet to be investigated. Mallards were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s, and today they are the most abundant and widespread waterfowl in the country. To assess seed dispersal, we radiomarked 284 female mallards from two study sites during the pre-breeding (June–August) and breeding (August–December) periods in 2014–2015, and examined movements that occurred within 24, 48 or 72 h when seed dispersal by endozoochory is considered likely. During June and July 2015, we collected 29 faecal samples from individual female mallards during radiomarking and 24 samples from mallard flocks. We recovered 69 intact seeds from the faecal samples and identified 12 plant taxa. Of the plant seeds identified and dispersed by mallards in this study, 40% were members of the Asteraceae family, nine plant species were alien to New Zealand, and the indigenous-status of three unidentified taxa could not be determined. Two taxa (and 9% of seeds) were germinated following gut passage: an unidentified Asteraceae andSolanum nigrum. During the pre-breeding and breeding periods, movement of females within 24 h averaged 394 m (SD = 706 m) and 222 m (SD = 605 m) respectively, with maximum distances of 3,970 m and 8,028 m. Maxima extended to 19,230 m within 48 h. Most plant species recorded are generally assumed to be self-dispersed or dispersed by water; mechanisms that provide a much lower maximum dispersal distance than mallards. The ability of mallards to disperse viable seeds up to 19 km within 48 h suggests they have an important and previously overlooked role as vectors for a variety of wetland or grassland plant species in New Zealand.

Cache sites preferred by small rodents facilitate cache survival in a subtropical primary forest, central China

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoujia Sun ◽  
Hongmao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Central China ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Nearest Neighbour ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Scatter Hoarding ◽  
Neighbour Distance ◽  
Seed Survival ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Management And Conservation

Context Scatter-hoarding rodents tend to hoard plant seeds in preferred places that facilitate seed survival, resulting in high food rewards for hoarders and a high probability of seedling establishment for plants. Aims To test the hypothesis that caches placed in rodent-preferred microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances between caches (cache density) or cache depths have an increased chance of survival. Methods Rodent-made caches and observer-established caches of Himalayan hazelnut (Corylus ferox) seeds were tracked in a subtropical primary forest in central China. The survival of caches within rodent-preferred microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances and cache depths were identified. Key results Rodents preferred to hoard Himalayan hazelnut seeds in microhabitats under and at the edge of shrubs, with the nearest-neighbour distance of <4.0 m, and at 2.1–4.0-cm depth. The survival times of both rodent-made caches and observer-established caches were longer within rodent-preferred microhabitats than in other habitats and increased with an increasing nearest-neighbour distance and cache depth, up to what appeared to be an optimal nearest-neighbour distance and depth. Conclusions Conditions of rodent-preferred cache microhabitats, nearest-neighbour distances and cache depths can facilitate cache survival. Implications Rodents often move plant seeds away from parent trees and bury them in shallow soil, which benefits seed dispersal and establishment of plants. The present study demonstrates that rodent-preferred cache conditions may translate into higher seed survival and a higher tendency of seeds to germinate and establish. Thus, careful management and conservation of rodent-preferred hoarding habitats may benefit seed dispersal and survival.

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