The role of dung beetles as a secondary seed disperser after dispersal by frugivore mammals in a temperate deciduous forest

Koike, Shinsuke; Morimoto, Hideto; Kozakai, Chinatsu; Arimoto, Isao; Soga, Masashi; Yamazaki, Koji; Koganezawa, Masaaki

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2012.04.009

Cited by 29 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…[32], [21]). No significant differences have been found in the rate or depth of burial between seeds or seed mimics [33] and seeds mimics have the great advantage of not being removed by seed predators [25]. In each experimental dung pile, we placed seed mimics of three sizes: 50 small seeds (3.5-mm diameter), 20 medium seeds (8.6-mm diameter) and 10 large seeds (15.5-mm diameter).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dung Beetle Community and Functions along a Habitat-Disturbance Gradient in the Amazon: A Rapid Assessment of Ecological Functions Associated to Biodiversity

et al. 2013

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Although there is increasing interest in the effects of habitat disturbance on community attributes and the potential consequences for ecosystem functioning, objective approaches linking biodiversity loss to functional loss are uncommon. The objectives of this study were to implement simultaneous assessment of community attributes (richness, abundance and biomass, each calculated for total-beetle assemblages as well as small- and large-beetle assemblages) and three ecological functions of dung beetles (dung removal, soil perturbation and secondary seed dispersal), to compare the effects of habitat disturbance on both sets of response variables, and their relations. We studied dung beetle community attributes and functions in five land-use systems representing a disturbance gradient in the Brazilian Amazon: primary forest, secondary forest, agroforestry, agriculture and pasture. All response variables were affected negatively by the intensification of habitat disturbance regimes, but community attributes and ecological functions did not follow the same pattern of decline. A hierarchical partitioning analysis showed that, although all community attributes had a significant effect on the three ecological functions (except the abundance of small beetles on all three ecological functions and the biomass of small beetles on secondary dispersal of large seed mimics), species richness and abundance of large beetles were the community attributes with the highest explanatory value. Our results show the importance of measuring ecological function empirically instead of deducing it from community metrics.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dung Beetle Community and Functions along a Habitat-Disturbance Gradient in the Amazon: A Rapid Assessment of Ecological Functions Associated to Biodiversity

et al. 2013

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“…Within this grid, plots were created by burying nylon netting 10 cm into the forest floor in a 50 3 50 cm square ( Fig. Previous investigations indicate that there are no differences in removal rate or burial depths between seed mimics and real seeds (Koike et al 2012). Each plot contained a non-baited pitfall trap (13.5 cm width, 9 cm depth), buried flush with the ground surface and filled with salt and water.…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous investigations have demonstrated that burial by dung beetles is a mechanism for seed predator escape (e.g., Estrada andCoates-Estrada 1991, Feer 1999), but can also lead to mortality through placement of individual seeds within the soil in unsuitable locations for germination and establishment (Estrada and Coates-Estrada 1991, Shep-herd and Chapman 1998, Andresen 1999, Andresen and Levey 2004, Koike et al 2012. Previous investigations have demonstrated that burial by dung beetles is a mechanism for seed predator escape (e.g., Estrada andCoates-Estrada 1991, Feer 1999), but can also lead to mortality through placement of individual seeds within the soil in unsuitable locations for germination and establishment (Estrada and Coates-Estrada 1991, Shep-herd and Chapman 1998, Andresen 1999, Andresen and Levey 2004, Koike et al 2012.…”

Section: Potential Implications For Forest Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity and environmental context predict dung beetle‐mediated seed dispersal in a tropical forest field experiment

Griffiths

Louzada

Bardgett

et al. 2015

Ecology

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Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) literature is dominated by investigations conducted in temperate grassland ecosystems under homogenous environmental conditions. Consequently, studies concerned with the functional importance of higher trophic levels, or with the role of environmental conditions in shaping BEF relationships, are comparatively uncommon. To address this, we assessed dung beetle diversity-functioning relationships in situ, in a field experiment in the Brazilian Amazon. Dung beetles perform a number of ecological functions in habitats across the globe; in tropical forests they play a key role in the secondary dispersal of seeds. We therefore experimentally tested how the functional diversity of dung beetle communities affects seed dispersal and how BEF relationships varied with environmental context, by replicating the experiments under contrasting soil conditions. Relationships between dung beetle diversity and function were examined using diversity indices calculated using continuous morphological traits of the individuals involved in experiments, and functioning was measured as the dispersion of artificial seeds throughout the soil profile and the probability of burial. Ninety experimental plots were established across three distinct primary forest sites. We collected, identified, and measured almost 2000 beetles, and sieved around 11 Mg of soil to quantify the dispersion of 1800 seed mimics. There was a significant effect of dung beetle functional diversity on both seed dispersion and seed burial, although this depended on environmental context, with the strength or direction of responses differing across the contrasting soils. Regardless of soil type, functional richness, but not species richness, predicted seed dispersion. We therefore advocate the use of functional diversity indices over taxonomic approaches in dung beetle-focused BEF investigations. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulties in generalizing BEF relationships, even considering a single function within the same ecosystem.

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“…This can benefit seeds by placing them in a more suitable microsite for germination [27,28], avoidance of density-dependent competition [29] and through escape from predation [27,30]. However, if seeds are placed too deep, burial by beetles can result in seed mortality [27,30,31]; suggesting there exists a species-specific optimal seed burial depth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value of trophic interactions for ecosystem function: dung beetle communities influence seed burial and seedling recruitment in tropical forests

et al. 2016

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Anthropogenic activities are causing species extinctions, raising concerns about the consequences of changing biological communities for ecosystem functioning. To address this, we investigated how dung beetle communities influence seed burial and seedling recruitment in the Brazilian Amazon. First, we conducted a burial and retrieval experiment using seed mimics. We found that dung beetle biomass had a stronger positive effect on the burial of large than small beads, suggesting that anthropogenic reductions in large-bodied beetles will have the greatest effect on the secondary dispersal of large-seeded plant species. Second, we established mesocosm experiments in which dung beetle communities buried Myrciaria dubia seeds to examine plant emergence and survival. Contrary to expectations, we found that beetle diversity and biomass negatively influenced seedling emergence, but positively affected the survival of seedlings that emerged. Finally, we conducted germination trials to establish the optimum burial depth of experimental seeds, revealing a negative relationship between burial depth and seedling emergence success. Our results provide novel evidence that seed burial by dung beetles may be detrimental for the emergence of some seed species. However, we also detected positive impacts of beetle activity on seedling recruitment, which are probably because of their influence on soil properties. Overall, this study provides new evidence that anthropogenic impacts on dung beetle communities could influence the structure of tropical forests; in particular, their capacity to regenerate and continue to provide valuable functions and services.

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The role of dung beetles as a secondary seed disperser after dispersal by frugivore mammals in a temperate deciduous forest

Cited by 29 publications

References 37 publications

Dung Beetle Community and Functions along a Habitat-Disturbance Gradient in the Amazon: A Rapid Assessment of Ecological Functions Associated to Biodiversity

Dung Beetle Community and Functions along a Habitat-Disturbance Gradient in the Amazon: A Rapid Assessment of Ecological Functions Associated to Biodiversity

Biodiversity and environmental context predict dung beetle‐mediated seed dispersal in a tropical forest field experiment

The value of trophic interactions for ecosystem function: dung beetle communities influence seed burial and seedling recruitment in tropical forests

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