All frugivores are not equal: exploitation competition determines seed survival and germination in a fleshy-fruited forest herb

Niederhauser, Eric C.; Matlack, Glenn R.

doi:10.1007/s11258-015-0494-4

Cited by 14 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Both P. peltatum ) and A. triphyllum (Heckel et al 2010) are considered unpalatable to white-tailed deer. Podophyllum peltatum grows from a rhizome, often forming dense clonal populations, and also reproduces sexually from a single flower on mature individuals (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015). After flowering in mid-to late-spring, these flowers produce a fleshy green to yellow berry 2-5 cm wide containing many seeds.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After flowering in mid-to late-spring, these flowers produce a fleshy green to yellow berry 2-5 cm wide containing many seeds. These berries mature in mid-summer and are known to be eaten and dispersed by white-tailed deer, raccoons (Procyon lotor), and Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015). Arisaema triphyllum grows from a corm, and can reproduce both clonally and sexually from a spadix that is either male or female.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple) and Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit) are native herbaceous species commonly found in the eastern temperate deciduous forests where deer populations are overabundant. These species are considered unpalatable to deer (with a stronger avoidance of A. triphyllum) (Bierzychudek 1982;Heckel et al 2010;), but P. peltatum fruits are known to be eaten by deer (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015). Podophyllum peltatum is considered shade-tolerant (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015), but also shows plasticity in its response to openings in the canopy (Hull 2002;Cushman et al 2005;Cushman et al 2006).…”

Section: Herbivory Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These species are considered unpalatable to deer (with a stronger avoidance of A. triphyllum) (Bierzychudek 1982;Heckel et al 2010;), but P. peltatum fruits are known to be eaten by deer (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015). Podophyllum peltatum is considered shade-tolerant (Niederhauser and Matlack 2015), but also shows plasticity in its response to openings in the canopy (Hull 2002;Cushman et al 2005;Cushman et al 2006). Arisaema triphyllum prefers interior forest habitats (Matlack 1994), but will tolerate partial-shade as well (Hull 2002).…”

Section: Herbivory Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to dispersing small, hard seeds as proposed by Janzen (1984), white-tailed deer may also act as frugivores, a role not commonly applied to deer. For example, several studies have shown that deer act in this manner for some species including Lonicera maackii, Panax quinquefolius, Podophyllum peltatum, Rhus aromatica, and Solanum carolinense and S. nigrum (Li et al 1999;Furedi and McGraw 2004;Myers et al 2004;Williams and Ward 2006;Blyth et al 2013;Castellano and Gorchov 2013;Niederhauser and Matlack 2015). However, these seeds being consumed does not always lead to the deposition of viable seeds (P. quinquefolius, Furedi and McGraw 2004;P.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exotic Plant Species: Drivers and Impacts of Plant Invasions in an Eastern Deciduous Forest Community

Woodworth

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Humans are moving plants around the globe, both intentionally and accidentally, which may lead to the range expansion of broadly tolerant exotic invasive species. When these exotic species invade and become naturalized in an ecosystem, they can threaten the biodiversity and alter the function of the system, causing economic losses through damages to crops or structures or the loss of native species. In addition to transportation of invasive plants, humans have also caused disturbances to ecosystems that may create opportunities for non-natives at the expense of native species who are unable to adapt to the disturbance. One example of such disturbance is the substantial increase in the range and population density of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) over the last century. This overabundant deer population can then have both direct and indirect effects on forest plant species and facilitate the success of invasive species.This dissertation intends to understand the effects of deer on the plant communities and the effects of exotic species on the litter-dwelling communities of a deciduous forest ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In Chapter 1 I used paired open and fenced plots to demonstrate that deer had indirect effects when they were present, increasing soil compaction, altering soil nutrient pools, and lowering nitrate fluxes. I found that deer had direct effects when they were present, causing greater herbivory damage resulting in reduced plant height and biomass, lowering the survival of all study species except for the exotic shrub Lonicera maackii, whose survival was not affected by deer herbivory. I found that invasive species became much more common in the herbaceous layer of the plant community when deer were present.iii In Chapter 2 I used a 22 factorial experiment to examine the separate and interactive effects of herbivory pressure from deer and the alteration to the shade environment through deer browsing. I found that deer had little direct (herbivory) or indirect (shade) effects on two native forest herbs (Arisaema triphyllum and Podophyllum peltatum). I found that a common invasive grass (Microstegium vimineum) benefitted from both indirect and direct effects of deer presence, increasing in size, reproduction, and abundance. I found that the invasive herb Alliaria petiolata had a more complicated vi was writing. Through your input I have developed greatly as a scientific writer, which will serve me well throughout my career.I would like to recognize Drs. Howie Epstein, Kyle Haynes, Michael Pace, Paolo D'Odorico, and Laura Galloway for serving as my committee members. Your input and suggestions helped me to develop a strong set of research projects. I have valued your input as I progressed through each step of my graduate studies. I am grateful for your patience while I have worked through the writing process for my dissertation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Herbivory Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Herbivory Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exotic Plant Species: Drivers and Impacts of Plant Invasions in an Eastern Deciduous Forest Community

Woodworth

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Molecular phylogeography and historical demography of a widespread herbaceous species from eastern North America, Podophyllum peltatum

Wang,

Yap,

Wan

et al. 2023

American J of Botany

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PremiseGlacial/interglacial cycles and topographic complexity are both considered to have shaped today's diverse phylogeographic patterns of taxa from unglaciated eastern North America (ENA). However, few studies have focused on the phylogeography and population dynamics of wide‐ranging ENA herbaceous species occurring in forest understory habitat. We examined the phylogeographic pattern and evolutionary history of Podophyllum peltatum L., a widely distributed herb inhabiting deciduous forests of ENA.MethodsUsing chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci, we investigated the population structure and genetic diversity of the species. Molecular dating, demographic history analyses, and ecological niche modeling were also performed to illustrate the phylogeographic patterns.ResultsOur cpDNA results identified three main groups that are largely congruent with boundaries along the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, two major geographic barriers in ENA. Populations located to the east of the Appalachians and along the central Appalachians exhibited relatively higher levels of genetic diversity. Extant lineages may have diverged during the late Miocene, and range expansions of different groups may have happened during the Pleistocene glacial/interglacial cycles.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that geographic barriers may have started to facilitate the population divergence in P. peltatum before the Pleistocene. Persistence in multiple refugia, including areas around the central Appalachians during the Quaternary glacial period, and subsequent expansions under hospitable climatic condition, especially westward expansion, are likely responsible for the species’ contemporary genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern.

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Fruiting trees provide fruit and insect resources for four tropical deer species

Awasthi,

Chen,

McConkey

2024

Ecosphere

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Fruiting trees provide important fruit and seed resources for various animal species, but rarely are they considered to be rich sources of insects as well. During a study of seed dispersal of Trewia nudiflora (Euphorbiaceae) using camera traps in Nepal, we observed four tropical deer species (Axis axis, Muntiacus vaginalis, Rusa unicolor, Axis porcinus) foraging for insects, rather than fruits under the trees. These herbivorous deer are proven seed dispersers of Trewia, but 8%–38% of video captures (across each species) were of insectivory, rather than frugivory. The deer chased and consumed red cotton bugs (Dysdercus sp. family Pyrrhocoridae), which were seed predators that hoarded Trewia seeds. It is likely that other unidentified insect species were also consumed. Tropical deer species are considered to be fully herbivorous, so our observations extend their known diets and possibly indicate a seasonal requirement for protein. These findings also highlight tri‐trophic interactions among deer, insects, and fruits that could have important implications for seedling recruitment if seed predators are being consumed by seed dispersers (in addition to fruit consumption).

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All frugivores are not equal: exploitation competition determines seed survival and germination in a fleshy-fruited forest herb

Cited by 14 publications

References 45 publications

Exotic Plant Species: Drivers and Impacts of Plant Invasions in an Eastern Deciduous Forest Community

Exotic Plant Species: Drivers and Impacts of Plant Invasions in an Eastern Deciduous Forest Community

Molecular phylogeography and historical demography of a widespread herbaceous species from eastern North America, Podophyllum peltatum

Fruiting trees provide fruit and insect resources for four tropical deer species

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