Bird fruit preferences match the frequency of fruit colours in tropical Asia

Duan, Q; Goodale, Eben; Quan, Rui-Chang

doi:10.1038/srep05627

Cited by 66 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…We recovered three clusters and these fell into two major groups: the mammalassociated colours (which we treated as a single category in our three-category scheme) and the bird-associated colours (which are arrayed along an axis between black and red; Figure 2). Red fruits tend to be preferred by birds over other colours (Camargo et al, 2013;Duan, Goodale, & Quan, 2014;Schmidt et al, 2004), which might result in more rapid range expansion in red-fruited species. Similar findings have recently been reported using a very different methodology (Bergeron & Fuller, 2018), suggesting that, despite the potential problems with relying on human vision, broad patterns such as those identified here are based on real biological differences.…”

Section: P-value Of Latitudementioning

confidence: 99%

Global geographic patterns in the colours and sizes of animal‐dispersed fruits

Sinnott‐Armstrong

Downie

Federman

et al. 2018

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim Fruit colours attract animal seed dispersers, yet the causes of fruit colour diversity remain controversial. The lack of knowledge of large‐scale spatial patterns in fruit colours has limited our ability to formulate and test alternative hypotheses to explain fruit colour, fruit size and fruit colour diversity. We describe spatial (especially latitudinal) variation in fruit colour, colour diversity and length, and test for correlations between fruit colour, length and plant habit. Location Global. Time period Present day. Major taxa studied Seed plants. Methods We assembled a database of fruit traits for 13,178 fleshy fruited plant species spanning 136 sites around the world. To assess whether fruit colour categories correspond with spectral reflectances, we tested for clustering of hue, chroma and saturation for 236 species for which we had reflectance data. We then quantified latitudinal gradients in fruit colour, fruit length and fruit colour diversity while controlling for the effects of plant habit and whether colour categories varied with respect to average fruit size. Results Colour categories corresponded well with reflectance data. The tropics show high colour diversity, while red fruits progressively constitute a higher proportion of the fleshy‐fruited plant community towards high latitudes. All mammal‐associated colours (green, orange, brown and yellow) are more common in the tropics than at high latitudes. Fruit length also increases towards the tropics. Main conclusions Tropical communities tend to have diverse fruit colours, including many mammal‐associated fruit colours, while high latitude communities contain a higher percentage of red‐fruited species. The correlation between colour and size is strong, and some latitudinal patterns may be partly driven by changes in fruit size. Differences in geography and in the history of plant lineages in the Southern versus the Northern Hemisphere may help to explain some biogeographic patterns, but alternative hypotheses related to fruit defence, development and metabolic costs are plausible.

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Section: P-value Of Latitudementioning

confidence: 99%

Global geographic patterns in the colours and sizes of animal‐dispersed fruits

Sinnott‐Armstrong

Downie

Federman

et al. 2018

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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“…Using ecological approaches, many studies have analysed associations between frugivore preferences and the frequency of different fruit colours in different regions (e.g. Duan, Goodale, & Quan, ; Herrera, ; Janson, ; Lomáscolo & Schaefer, ; Schaefer, Valido, & Jordano, ; Voigt et al, ; Willson, Irvine, & Walsh, ). However, few studies (if any) have used a phylogenetic approach to test whether different fruit colours affect large‐scale patterns of plant dispersal and distribution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ecological studies suggest that birds often prefer red fruit (e.g. Duan et al, ; Shanahan, So, Gompton, & Gorlett, ) or darker coloured fruit (Schaefer et al, ). In a phylogenetic study of Coprosma (Rubiaceae), the authors noted that many dispersal events were by red‐fruited lineages, and they suggested that this pattern might be related to bird dispersal (Cantley, Markey, Swenson, & Keeley, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Why is fruit colour so variable? Phylogenetic analyses reveal relationships between fruit‐colour evolution, biogeography and diversification

Fritsch

Matzke

et al. 2019

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim Are different fruit colours related to large‐scale patterns of dispersal, distribution and diversification? Here, we investigate this question for the first time, using phylogenetic approaches in the tribe Gaultherieae (Ericaceae). We test relationships between fruit colour and (a) biogeographic dispersal, (b) elevational and latitudinal species distributions and (c) rates of diversification. Location Global. Time period Recent to 30 million years ago. Major taxa studied The plant tribe Gaultherieae in the family Ericaceae (blueberries and relatives). Methods We estimated a new time‐calibrated phylogeny for Gaultherieae. Data on fruit colours and geographic distributions for each species were compiled from published sources and field observations. Using phylogenetic methods, we estimated major dispersal events across the tree and the most likely fruit colour associated with each dispersal event, and tested whether dispersal between major biogeographic regions was equally likely for different fruit colours, and whether dispersal distances were larger for certain colours. We then tested the relationships between fruit colours and geographic variables (latitude, elevation) and diversification rates. Results Large‐scale dispersal events were significantly associated with red‐fruited lineages, even though red‐fruited species were relatively uncommon. Further, different fruit colours were associated with different elevations and latitudes (e.g. red at lower elevations, violet at lower latitudes, white at higher elevations). Violet colour was related to increased diversification rates, leading to more violet‐fruited species globally. Main conclusions Overall, we show that different fruit colours can significantly impact the large‐scale dispersal, distribution and diversification of plant clades. Furthermore, the interplay between biogeography and fruit‐colour evolution seems to generate “taxon cycles” in fruit colour that may drive variation in fruit colour over macroevolutionary time‐scales.

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“…Willson et al 1990;Lord et al 2002;Stournaras et al 2013;Duan et al 2014). Fruits eaten by birds are often red or black and rarely orange, yellow, green or brown (Janson 1983;Willson et al 1989).…”

Section: Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visual and taste cues for minimising native bird interactions with toxic 1080 baits – a review of current practices

Cowan¹,

Crowell²

2017

NZ J Ecol

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Non-target risk from the use of vertebrate toxins for pest control is an ongoing issue globally. In New Zealand, toxic bait for aerial control of possums and rodents is dyed green and contains cinnamon oil, both of which are thought to reduce the risk that birds will eat the bait. It has been suggested for some time that blue dye may be a more effective feeding deterrent than green dye. While both green and blue dye reduce the risk that birds will feed on bait, the available evidence is not sufficiently strong to suggest a significant improvement in repelling birds by switching from green to blue. Cinnamon oil, at the nominal concentration in bait, may have some bird repellent effects, but these are likely to depend on its origin (bark or leaves) and the freshness of the bait (as it evaporates relatively quickly from bait after manufacture). Bait colour, including ultraviolet, is also an important cue in avoidance learning by birds and should be considered in more detail in future studies of specific bird repellent additives to bait for possum and rodent control. Further research is needed to optimise the use of visual cues in bait, both for their inherent repellency (e.g. green vs blue; optimal concentration of dye) and for their effectiveness in promoting avoidance learning. It would also be worth investigating an alternative compound to cinnamon as a mask for 1080; ideally such an alternative would have enhanced stability and bird repellent properties.

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Bird fruit preferences match the frequency of fruit colours in tropical Asia

Cited by 66 publications

References 48 publications

Global geographic patterns in the colours and sizes of animal‐dispersed fruits

Global geographic patterns in the colours and sizes of animal‐dispersed fruits

Why is fruit colour so variable? Phylogenetic analyses reveal relationships between fruit‐colour evolution, biogeography and diversification

Visual and taste cues for minimising native bird interactions with toxic 1080 baits – a review of current practices

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