Invasive ants disrupt frugivory by endemic island birds

Davis, Naomi E.; O'Dowd, Dennis Jefferie; Nally, Ralph Charles Mac; Green, Peter

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2009.0655

Cited by 39 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In invaded areas the red land crab, the dominant native omnivore, is eliminated, resulting in increased seedling recruitment and enhanced seedling species richness. Invasion, and in particular the formation of high-density ant supercolonies, also disrupts frugivory by endemic birds (Davis et al 2010). Presence of the ants directly decreases handling time and indirectly influences bird abundances and behaviour through changes in resources and habitat structure, and may negatively impact on the ecological function of seed dispersal.…”

Section: Anthropogenic Impacts On Network Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest biodiversity: a network structure and ecosystem functioning perspective

Morris

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

284

179

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Huge areas of diverse tropical forest are lost or degraded every year with dramatic consequences for biodiversity. Deforestation and fragmentation, over-exploitation, invasive species and climate change are the main drivers of tropical forest biodiversity loss. Most studies investigating these threats have focused on changes in species richness or species diversity. However, if we are to understand the absolute and long-term effects of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forests, we should also consider the interactions between species, how those species are organized in networks, and the function that those species perform. I discuss our current knowledge of network structure and ecosystem functioning, highlighting empirical examples of their response to anthropogenic impacts. I consider the future prospects for tropical forest biodiversity, focusing on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in secondary forest. Finally, I propose directions for future research to help us better understand the effects of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest biodiversity.

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Section: Anthropogenic Impacts On Network Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest biodiversity: a network structure and ecosystem functioning perspective

Morris

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

284

179

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“…Among the different causes of mutualistic disruptions, the introduction of alien species is frequently reported [3,9,10]. In many islands of the world, there have been a great number of plant and animal introductions since the arrival of man to them, with detrimental consequences for the native biota.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term demographic consequences of a seed dispersal disruption

2012

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The loss or decline of vertebrate frugivores can limit the regeneration of plants that depend on them. However, empirical evidence is showing that this is still very scarce, as functionally equivalent species may contribute to maintain the mutualistic interaction. Here, we investigated the long-term consequences of the extinction of frugivorous lizards on the population persistence of a Mediterranean relict shrub Cneorum tricoccon (Cneoraceae). We examined the demographic parameters among 26 insular and mainland populations, which encompass the entire plant distributional range, comparing populations with lizards with those in which these are extinct, but in which alien mammals currently act as seed dispersers. Plant recruitment was found to be higher on island populations with lizards than on those with mammals, and the longterm effects of the native disperser's loss were found in all vital phases of plant regeneration. The study thus gives evidence of the cascading effects of human-induced changes in ecosystems, showing how the disruption of native ecological processes can lead to species regression and, in the long term, even to local extinctions.

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“…Their invasion is of concern to conservationists due to their broad range of impacts (e.g., Holway et al 2002;O'Dowd et al 2003;Lach and Hooper-Bui 2010) and the difficulties of eradicating them once established (Silverman and Brightwell 2008;Hoffmann et al 2011). Impacts of invasive ants can include direct effects such as displaced vertebrate (Feare 1999;Holway et al 2002 and references therein), nonant invertebrate (Lubin 1984;Hill et al 2003;Causton et al 2006), and ant species (Walker 2006;Hoffmann and Saul 2010;Roura-Pascual et al 2010), and indirect effects on key ecological functions such as frugivory (Davis et al 2010), pollination and seed dispersal (Hansen and Müller 2009), and seedling recruitment and litter breakdown in a forest ecosystem (O'Dowd et al 2003). The yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes is ranked amongst the top 100 worst global invasive species (Lowe et al 2000) and is responsible for catastrophic ecological impacts on islands (O'Dowd et al 1999;O'Dowd et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasion of yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest

Kaiser‐Bunbury¹,

Cuthbert²,

Fox³

et al. 2014

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The mature palm forest of the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Seychelles island of Praslin, is a unique ecosystem containing many endemic species, including the iconic coco de mer palm Lodoicea maldivica. In 2009, the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes was recorded for the first time within the palm forest, raising concern about its potential impacts on the endemic fauna. This research aimed to: (1) assess the current distribution and spread of A. gracilipes within the palm forest; (2) identify environmental variables that are linked to A. gracilipes distribution; and (3) compare endemic species richness and abundance in A. gracilipes invaded and uninvaded areas. Anoplolepis gracilipes was confined to the north-east of the site and remained almost stationary between April 2010 and December 2012, with isolated outbreaks into the forest. Infested areas had significantly higher temperature and humidity and lower canopy cover. Abundance and species richness of the endemic arboreal fauna were lower in the A. gracilipes invaded area. Molluscs were absent from the invaded area. The current restricted distribution of A. gracilipes in this ecosystem, combined with lower abundance of endemic fauna in the invaded area, highlight the need for further research to assess control measures and the possible role of biotic resistance to the invasion of the palm forest by A. gracilipes.

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Invasive ants disrupt frugivory by endemic island birds

Cited by 39 publications

References 15 publications

Anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest biodiversity: a network structure and ecosystem functioning perspective

Anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest biodiversity: a network structure and ecosystem functioning perspective

Long-term demographic consequences of a seed dispersal disruption

Invasion of yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest

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