Spatial variation in post-dispersal seed removal in an Atlantic forest: Effects of habitat, location and guilds of seed predators

Christianini, Alexander V.; Galetti, Mauro

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2007.06.004

Cited by 35 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…A series of selective exclosure treatments that permitted predation and dispersal of different guilds of animals on seeds was used to identify and quantify the sources of seed removal of each type of seed (Hulme & Borelli 1999;Christianini & Galetti 2007). Each station consisted of 3 experimental treatments that permitted access to the seeds of different guilds of animals.…”

Section: Post-dispersal Seed Removal Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed handling by primary frugivores differentially influence post‐dispersal seed removal of Chinese yew by ground‐dwelling animals

Pan

Bai

Xiong

et al. 2016

Integrative Zoology

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Seed handling by primary frugivores can influence secondary dispersal and/or predation of post-dispersal seeds by attracting different guilds of ground-dwelling animals. Many studies have focused on seeds embedded in feces of mammals or birds; however, less is known about how ground-dwelling animals treat seeds regurgitated by birds (without pulp and not embedded in feces). To compare the effect of differential seed handling by primary dispersers on secondary seed removal of Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis var. mairei), we conducted a series of exclosure experiments to determine the relative impact of animals on the removal of defecated seeds (handled by masked palm civet), regurgitated seeds (handled by birds) and intact fruits. All types of yew seeds were consistently removed at a higher rate by rodents than by ants. Regurgitated seeds had the highest removal percentage and were only removed by rodents. These seeds were probably eaten in situ without being secondarily dispersed. Defecated seeds were removed by both rodents and ants; only ants might act as secondary dispersers of defecated seeds, whereas rodents ate most of them. We inferred that seeds regurgitated by birds were subjected to the highest rates of predation, whereas those dispersed in the feces of masked palm civets probably had a higher likelihood of secondary dispersal. Seeds from feces attracted ants, which were likely to transport seeds and potentially provided a means by which the seeds could escape predation by rodents. Our study highlighted that primary dispersal by birds might not always facilitate secondary dispersal and establishment of plant populations.

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Section: Post-dispersal Seed Removal Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed handling by primary frugivores differentially influence post‐dispersal seed removal of Chinese yew by ground‐dwelling animals

Pan

Bai

Xiong

et al. 2016

Integrative Zoology

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“…However, little is known about post-dispersal seed predation in Spanish black pine natural forest ecosystems. Changes in general patterns of post-dispersal seed predation are expected since the predation of these groups of animals may be very variable depending on seed production (Castro et al, 1999;Du et al, 2007), site characteristics (Hulme, 1997;Holt et al, 1995;Ostfeld et al, 1997;Christianini and Galetti, 2007) and forest stand conditions (Hulme, 1998;Bellocq et al, 2005;Christianini and Galetti, 2007;Pérez-Ramos and Marañon, 2008). Seed predation can also depend on masting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Spanish black pine postdispersal seed predation in Central-eastern Spain

Lucas‐Borja¹,

Silva-Santos²,

Fonseca

et al. 2010

For. syst.

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In this research work, we specifically address post-dispersal Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii) seed predation at two different locations, one being the most common and representative location for the species and the other located on areas at their ecological limit of distribution in Cuenca Mountain (Spain). A modelling approach was employed to analyze the effect of stand and site characteristics and climate variables on the post-dispersal predation process. Each predator group (ants, rodents and birds) was evaluated by excluding the other two with different experimental devices. Our study demonstrates that the percent of removal was related with the seed rain patterns being lower in the high seed rain year of 2006 (mean ± se 11.15 ± 3.7% of removed seeds) than in the low seed rain years of 2005 and 2007 (81.71 ± 6.0% and 87.29 ± 6.6% of removed seeds respectively). In high seed production years, birds were the most important predators and rodents were the less important predator group in both Los Palancares y Agregados and Ensanche de Las Majadas. No conclusion can be obtained in low seed production years due to the high seed removal percentage by all predator groups. Experimental site and overstory density were no significant with respect to seed predation. Modelling approach show that the seed removal percentage is influenced by seed production year (MastY) a temporal effect within the year, measured by the day variable (Day) and a climatic variable (accumulated averaged maximum air temperatures 20 days before survey date, AaMAT). Further developments include the construction of stochastic models to predict the effects of climate-related variables or microhabitat characteristics on seed losses, contributing to reduce uncertainty in post-dispersal Spanish black pine seed predation dynamics and to provide credible tools to decision-makers and forest managers.Key words: mast year; post-dispersal seed predation; Pinus nigra; Mediterranean region. Resumen Modelización de predación post-dispersión de semillas de pino laricio en el Centro-este de EspañaEl presente trabajo de investigación se centra en la predación post-dispersión acontecida en dos áreas forestales, una localizada en la zona de distribución característica del pino laricio (Pinus nigra Arn ssp salzmannii) y otra en su límite ecológico de distribución dentro de la Serranía de Cuenca (España). El efecto que sobre la predación post-dispersión tienen la densidad arbórea, diferentes variables climáticas y varias características de cada masa forestal fue evaluado mediante la creación de diferentes modelos. Cada grupo de predadores (hormigas, ratones y pájaros) fue analizado por exclusión de los otros dos mediante diferentes dispositivos experimentales. Nuestro estudio demuestra que el porcentaje de semilla predada estuvo relacionado con la lluvia de semillas, siendo menor en 2006, año de abundante producción (media ± estandar error: 11.15 ± 3.7% de semillas predadas) que en 2005 y 2007, años de escasa producción de semilla (81.71 ...

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“…It is very important to make this distinction about confirming frugivory events, or else our study too would have noted many more than six terrestrial frugivores for P. emblica as reported by earlier studies (for e.g., Babweteera et al 2007;Beck and Terborgh 2002;Christianini and Galetti 2007;Cramer et al 2007;Jayasekara et al 2003;Kitamura et al 2007;Miura et al 1997). It is also possible to make this distinction about confirming actual frugivory events using video camera traps.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Camera traps are indeed a useful technique for studying terrestrial frugivores and have been used extensively for this purpose (for e.g., Babweteera et al 2007;Beck and Terborgh 2002;Christianini and Galetti 2007;Cramer et al 2007;Jayasekara et al 2003;Kitamura et al 2007;Miura et al 1997). These previous studies have used camera traps to identify potential terrestrial frugivores, but they fail to distinguish frugivores from mere visitors to fruiting trees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who really ate the fruit? A novel approach to camera trapping for quantifying frugivory by ruminants

Prasad

Pittet

Sukumar

2009

Ecological Research

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Tropical forest ruminants disperse several plants; yet, their effectiveness as seed dispersers is not systematically quantified. Information on frequency and extent of frugivory by ruminants is lacking. Techniques such as tree watches or fruit traps adapted from avian frugivore studies are not suitable to study terrestrial frugivores, and conventional camera traps provide little quantitative information. We used a novel time-delay camera-trap technique to assess the effectiveness of ruminants as seed dispersers for Phyllanthus emblica at Mudumalai, southern India. After being triggered by animal movement, cameras were programmed to take pictures every 2 min for the next 6 min, yielding a sequence of four pictures. Actual frugivores were differentiated from mere visitors, who did not consume fruit, by comparing the number of fruit remaining across the time-delay photograph sequence. During a 2-year study using this technique, we found that six terrestrial mammals consumed fallen P. emblica fruit. Additionally, seven mammals and one bird species visited fruiting trees but did not consume fallen fruit. Two ruminants, the Indian chevrotain Moschiola indica and chital Axis axis, were P. emblica's most frequent frugivores and they accounted for over 95% of fruit removal, while murid rodents accounted for less than 1%. Plants like P. emblica that are dispersed mainly by large mammalian frugivores are likely to have limited ability to migrate across fragmented landscapes in response to rapidly changing climates. We hope that more quantitative information on ruminant frugivory will become available with a wider application of our time-delay cameratrap technique.

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Spatial variation in post-dispersal seed removal in an Atlantic forest: Effects of habitat, location and guilds of seed predators

Cited by 35 publications

References 44 publications

Seed handling by primary frugivores differentially influence post‐dispersal seed removal of Chinese yew by ground‐dwelling animals

Seed handling by primary frugivores differentially influence post‐dispersal seed removal of Chinese yew by ground‐dwelling animals

Modelling Spanish black pine postdispersal seed predation in Central-eastern Spain

Who really ate the fruit? A novel approach to camera trapping for quantifying frugivory by ruminants

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