Frugivory by Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) on the cactus Pilosocereus pachycladus in the Brazilian Caatinga

Neto, Ilton Nunes de Sousa; Gomes, Vanessa Gabrielle Nóbrega; Quirino, Zelma Glebya Maciel

doi:10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v20i1p105-108

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The Caatinga is an environment with periodic water scarcity and has low throphic resource availability (Fonseca et al., 2012; Gomes et al., 2017, 2021; Paixão et al., 2023; Souza Neto et al., 2021). Mainly in the dry season, many animals have evolved both generalist and opportunistic behaviours to take advantage of available resources (Correcher et al., 2023; Fuster et al., 2019; Fuster & Traveset, 2020; Gomes et al., 2014, 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Double mutualism involving Melocactus (Cactaceae) and lizards in the Brazilian Caatinga: Another isolated case or is it an established interaction?

Bezerra‐Silva,

Gomes,

Albuquerque‐Lima

et al. 2024

Austral Ecology

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This work discusses a fascinating ecological relationship, in which the lizard Tropidurus cocorobensis and the cactus Melocactus violaceus engage in a double mutualism. In this interaction, observed in a Caatinga, a dry tropical forest in Northeastern Brazil, T. cocorobensis feed on the nectar and pollen of M. violaceus, transferring the grains to the stigmas of another flower, acting as a potential pollinator. Additionally, the lizards consume fruits of M. violaceus, helping to disperse the seeds. The concentrated nectar of M. violaceus attracts lizards, and the morphological compatibility between the small pink flowers and the size of T. cocorobensis is important to this double mutualism. The findings mentioned here highlight the importance of Tropidurus lizards in the reproductive success of Melocactus species and provide insights into the coevolution of these species in a seasonal and resource‐scarce environment, like the Caatinga.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Double mutualism involving Melocactus (Cactaceae) and lizards in the Brazilian Caatinga: Another isolated case or is it an established interaction?

Bezerra‐Silva,

Gomes,

Albuquerque‐Lima

et al. 2024

Austral Ecology

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“…pernambucoensis is an arboreal columnar cactus that can reach up to 6.0 m height, and T. inamoena is a subshrub cactus that presents plain cladodes and red-orangish flowers (BATISTA et al, 2018). Both species are found over almost the whole Semiarid region of Brazil and have a high importance for the sustainability and conservation of the Caatinga biodiversity, as their flowers and fruits serve as food for the local fauna (NASCIMENTO et al, 2015;SOUSA NETO;GOMES;QUIRINO, 2021;PAIXÃO;GOMES;VENTICINQUE, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of seeds of cactaceae species endemic to the caatinga biome: Pilosocereus pachycladus and Tacinga inamoena

2023

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Ecosystems with dry soils are particularly sensitive to climate changes and anthropogenic actions, which represents a threat to the survival of many cactus species. Ex situ seed conservation strategies should be adopted to support in situ conservation. This study evaluated the effect of conservation conditions on germination and vigor of seeds of Pilosocereus pachycladus subsp. pernambucoensis and Tacinga inamoena. The seeds were packaged in paper bags and glass containers and stored under controlled (8 ± 1 °C; 56 ± 2% relative humidity) and non-controlled (24 ± 2 °C; 75 ± 5% relative humidity) environmental conditions for 0 (control), 12, 16, and 20 months. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (conservation environment × packaging × storage period) for each species. The variables evaluated were: water content (%), germination (%), germination speed index (GSI), and mean germination time (MGT). The physiological quality of seeds of both species were preserved when seeds were maintained under controlled environment, regardless of the packaging. However, when stored under non-controlled environment, the packaging in paper bags was more efficient for the conservation of seeds of P. pachycladus subsp. pernambucoensis, and the glass container was more efficient for T. inamoena. This information may be needed for ex situ conservation of these species and to support the recovery of degraded areas susceptible to desertification in the Caatinga biome.

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Endangered globose cactus Melocactus lanssensianus P. J. Braun depends on lizards for effective seed dispersal in the Brazilian Caatinga

et al. 2021

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Frugivory by Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) on the cactus Pilosocereus pachycladus in the Brazilian Caatinga

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

Double mutualism involving Melocactus (Cactaceae) and lizards in the Brazilian Caatinga: Another isolated case or is it an established interaction?

Double mutualism involving Melocactus (Cactaceae) and lizards in the Brazilian Caatinga: Another isolated case or is it an established interaction?

Conservation of seeds of cactaceae species endemic to the caatinga biome: Pilosocereus pachycladus and Tacinga inamoena

Endangered globose cactus Melocactus lanssensianus P. J. Braun depends on lizards for effective seed dispersal in the Brazilian Caatinga

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