Frugivorous birds disperse seeds of Ligustrum lucidum, seed‐feeding weevils, and parasitic wasps of weevils via endozoochory

Abstract

Biological invasion is considered one of the world's most serious conservation biology issues. In a global review on invasive species, Richardson & Rejmanek (2011) indicated that over 40% of invasive trees and over 60% of invasive shrubs are dispersed by birds. Privet species (genus Ligustrum, Oleaceae) are typical ornithochorous species (Montaldo et al. 2017;Fernandez et al. 2020). Some Asian taxa of Ligustrum are becoming serious invaders in different ecosystems in America, Europe, Africa, and Australia (Aslan et al. 2012; Powell & Araoz 2018). In particular, Ligustrum lucidum is one of the most abundant invasive trees in forests in different countries (Aragon & Groom 2003; Richardson & Rejmanek 2011). Its reproductive phenology, fruit production, fruit removal, and seed-dispersal syndrome have been studied in detail in different habitats (Montaldo 2000;Fernandez et al. 2020). A study in Northern California revealed that a newly formed seed-dispersal mutualism between local birds and introduced L. lucidum is now in lag phases preceding bird-mediated future invasion (Aslan 2011). Habitat fragmentation leads L. lucidum to invade novel environments and modifies the spread pattern of this species

Predator–prey encounters: deciphering the robbery relationship between highwayman flies and their ant victims

“…Furthermore, our evidence suggests that flies rob ants at fixed points close to the food source, which may impact the evolutionary strategies of both species involved. Seed dispersal by animals is a complex ecological interaction, and the associations between long-term dynamics of seed fates and their dispersers may shape forest ecosystems (Chen et al 2022;Liu et al 2022). As we know, many ant species can disperse seeds of myrmecochorous plants in microhabitats.…”

“…Seed dispersal by animals is a complex ecological interaction, and the associations between long‐term dynamics of seed fates and their dispersers may shape forest ecosystems (Chen et al. 2022; Liu et al. 2022).…”