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opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Trait-associated loss of frugivores in fragmented forest does not affect seed removal rates

Seed dispersal by frugivorous animals forms the basis for regeneration of numerous plant species. Habitat fragmentation has been found to be one major factor perturbing frugivore communities and dependent plant species. Yet, community-wide consequences of fragmentation for both frugivore and plant communities are still hardly understood. Here, we studied the effects of habitat fragmentation on the seed removal by frugivorous birds and mammals from nine fleshy-fruited plant species in Białowieża Forest (Eastern Poland). This last relict of old-growth lowland forest in Europe poses an exceptional reference site for studying the impact of habitat fragmentation on seed dispersal processes in temperate forest ecosystems. In particular, (i) we tested for associations between forest fragmentation and response traits of frugivores, that is forest specialization and body mass; (ii) we studied the relationship between frugivore response and effect traits, that is centrality (number of consumed plant species) and interaction type (mutualistic vs. antagonistic); and (iii) we assessed the feedback of fragmentation-induced changes on plant–frugivore interactions and seed removal rates. We found that fragmentation led to shifts in the frugivore community, associated with the response traits forest specialization and body mass, with fewer forest specialists and large-bodied frugivores in fragmented than in continuous forests. However, forest generalists and small-bodied frugivores were more central in the plant–frugivore associations than forest specialists and large-bodied frugivores. Therefore, the loss of vulnerable species did not result in reduced seed removal rates in fragmented compared with continuous forest. Synthesis. These results indicate that seed removal may be relatively robust in spite of shifts in the frugivore community in forest fragments. The correlation between response and effect traits of frugivores highlights the importance of forest generalists and small-bodied frugivores for maintaining dispersal processes in fragmented forests in temperate regions. Yet, future studies should aim at quantifying the consequences of seed disperser loss on other aspects of dispersal, such as long-distance dispersal, spatial patterns of seed deposition, seed germination and plant regeneration.

opencc-zeroJan 2020View details →

Modifications of the rainforest frugivore community are associated with reduced seed removal at the community level

Tropical rainforests worldwide are under increasing pressure from human activities, which are altering key ecosystem processes such as plant-animal interactions. However, while the direct impact of anthropogenic disturbance on animal communities has been well studied, the consequences of such defaunation for mutualistic interactions such as seed dispersal remains chiefly understood at the plant species level. We asked whether communities of endozoochorous tree species had altered seed removal in forests affected by hunting and logging and if this could be related to modifications of the frugivore community. At two contrasting forest sites in French Guiana, Nouragues (protected) and Montagne de Kaw (hunted and partly logged), we focused on four families of animal-dispersed trees (Sapotaceae, Myristicaceae, Burseraceae and Fabaceae) which represent 88 % of all endozoochorous trees which were fruiting at the time and location of the study. We assessed the abundance of the seed dispersers and predators of these four focal families by conducting diurnal distance sampling along line transects. Densities of several key seed dispersers such as large-bodied primates were greatly reduced at Montagne de Kaw, where the specialist frugivore Ateles paniscus is probably extinct. In parallel, we estimated seed removal rates from fruit and seed counts conducted in one-square-meter quadrats placed on the ground beneath fruiting trees. Seed removal rates dropped from 77 % at Nouragues to 47 % at Montagne de Kaw, confirming that the loss of frugivores associated with human disturbance impacts seed removal at the community level. In contrast to Sapotaceae, whose seeds are dispersed by mammals only, weaker declines in seed removal for Burseraceae and Myristicaceae suggest that some compensation may occur for these bird- and mammal-dispersed families, possibly because of the high abundance of toucans at the disturbed site. The defaunation process currently occurring across many tropical forests could dramatically reduce the diversity of entire communities of animal-dispersed trees through seed removal limitation.

opennotspecifiedMar 2022View details →

FIGURE. Floral habit and structure of C. spongifolia. A. Type specimen in situ with open, spathe limb (apex is reflexed out of view), and green spathe tube (ca. 6 cm long). B. Adjacent plant with inflorescences and prophylls. C. Spadix showing from top: sterile appendix, staminate (male) zone, sterile interstice, and green pistillate (female) zone with tapered, conical form. D. Detail of female zone showing a few basal staminodes. E–G. Berries of the preserved type specimen. G. Dissected berry with orthotropous ovules (some outlined) attached by funicles to parietal placentae (arrows). H. Surface of male zone showing closely-packed synandria. I. Synandria separated to show fused anther sacs beneath apical pores (example in center has 8 pores, 8 anthers) J. Mature fruiting head, with single berry removed to show seed packing and 67 seeds extracted (scale bar units: 1 mm) (Bach Ma NP; type 2020; fruit and seeds 2018). Photos: NVD and PJM. in Colocasia spongifolia sp. nov. (Araceae) in southern China and central Vietnam

FIGURE. Floral habit and structure of C. spongifolia. A. Type specimen in situ with open, spathe limb (apex is reflexed out of view), and green spathe tube (ca. 6 cm long). B. Adjacent plant with inflorescences and prophylls. C. Spadix showing from top: sterile appendix, staminate (male) zone, sterile interstice, and green pistillate (female) zone with tapered, conical form. D. Detail of female zone showing a few basal staminodes. E–G. Berries of the preserved type specimen. G. Dissected berry with orthotropous ovules (some outlined) attached by funicles to parietal placentae (arrows). H. Surface of male zone showing closely-packed synandria. I. Synandria separated to show fused anther sacs beneath apical pores (example in center has 8 pores, 8 anthers) J. Mature fruiting head, with single berry removed to show seed packing and 67 seeds extracted (scale bar units: 1 mm) (Bach Ma NP; type 2020; fruit and seeds 2018). Photos: NVD and PJM.

opennotspecifiedAug 2022View details →

FIGURE 2. Magnolia quichensis. A. Developing fruit. B. Mature fruit before dehiscence, C-D. Fruit during dehiscence. E. Seeds after sarcotesta removal. F-G in Two new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) from Alta Verapaz and Quiché, Guatemala

FIGURE 2. Magnolia quichensis. A. Developing fruit. B. Mature fruit before dehiscence, C-D. Fruit during dehiscence. E. Seeds after sarcotesta removal. F-G. Fruit axis and carpels without seeds, dorsal and ventral side, showing the axis. Photographs: Erick Tribouillier.

Fig. 5 in Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Functions of Dung Removal and Seed Dispersal among Two Telecoprid and Two Paracoprid Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Fig. 5. Box plots of the median, first, and third quartile, and lower and upper limits of dung removal by standardized 1-g biomass of Canthon rutilans cyanescens, Deltochilum multicolor, Dichotomius sericeus, and Phanaeus splendidulus exposed to dog feces for two and seven days. Plots with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey test, P> 0.05).

Fig. 4 in Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Functions of Dung Removal and Seed Dispersal among Two Telecoprid and Two Paracoprid Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Fig. 4. Comparative analysis of dung removal and secondary dispersal of small and large seeds by single male/ female pair of Canthon rutilans cyanescens (Cr), Deltochilum multicolor (Dm), Dichotomius sericeus (Ds), and Phanaeus splendidulus (Ps) exposed to dog feces for two and seven days. Squares with the same letter and color are not significantly different (Tukey test, P> 0.05).

Fig. 3 in Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Functions of Dung Removal and Seed Dispersal among Two Telecoprid and Two Paracoprid Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Fig. 3. Box plots of the median, first, and third quartile, and lower and upper limits of dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by two paracoprid dung beetles as single male/female pair and three male/female pairs exposed to dog feces for two, seven, and 21 days. A) Dung removal capacity, B) Small seed dispersal, and C) Large seed dispersal by Dichotomius sericeus. D) Dung removal capacity, E) Small seed dispersal, and F) Large seed dispersal by Phanaeus splendidulus. Plots with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey test, P> 0.05).

Fig. 1 in Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Functions of Dung Removal and Seed Dispersal among Two Telecoprid and Two Paracoprid Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Fig. 1. Arenas for the study of dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles. A) Arena for telecoprids with 30 g of dyed feces divided into three portions of 10 g each with a variable number of artificial seeds, B) Closed arena covered with veil-type fabric, C) Arena protected from rain. D, E, and F show the same sequence for the arenas for paracoprids.

Fig. 2 in Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Functions of Dung Removal and Seed Dispersal among Two Telecoprid and Two Paracoprid Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Fig. 2. Box plots of the median, first, and third quartile, and lower and upper limits of dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by two telecoprid dung beetles as single male/female pair and three male/female pairs exposed to dog feces for two, seven, and 21 days. A) Dung removal capacity, B) Small seed dispersal, and C) Large seed dispersal by Canthon rutilans cyanescens. D) Dung removal capacity, E) Small seed dispersal, and F) Large seed dispersal by Deltochilum multicolor. Plots with the same letter are not significantly different (Tukey test, P> 0.05).

opennotspecifiedNov 2015View details →

FIGURE 6. Cypella ravenniana. A. Habit. B. Flower, lateral view. C. Flower, upper view. D. Flowers, tepals removed. E. Inner tepal. F. Capsule. G. Seed. H. Spathe with immature capsule. I in Three new species of Cypella (Iridaceae) from South America, and taxonomic delimitation of C. suffusa Ravenna

FIGURE 6. Cypella ravenniana. A. Habit. B. Flower, lateral view. C. Flower, upper view. D. Flowers, tepals removed. E. Inner tepal. F. Capsule. G. Seed. H. Spathe with immature capsule. I. Stamen (A–C, E–I from Deble et Alves 15505; D from Deble & Alves 15504).

opennotspecifiedJan 2019View details →

FIGURE 9. Helonias yunnanensis var. mesostyla. A. Flower with frontal tepal and stamen removed. B. Pistil. C. Fruit with persistent floral parts. One frontal tepal removed. D. Two seeds. A, B from N in Taxonomy, evolution and phylogeography of the genus Helonias (Melanthiaceae) revisited

FIGURE 9. Helonias yunnanensis var. mesostyla. A. Flower with frontal tepal and stamen removed. B. Pistil. C. Fruit with persistent floral parts. One frontal tepal removed. D. Two seeds. A, B from N Myanmar (Kermode 17139, holotype, K-001235138). C, D from Yunnan, China (Gaoligongshan Biodiversity Survey 32015, GH-00292433). Scale on right corner for B and D. Drawn by Noriyuki Tanaka.

opencc-zeroOct 2021View details →

Data from: Harvester ant seed removal in an invaded sagebrush ecosystem: implications for restoration

A better understanding of seed movement in plant community dynamics is needed, especially in light of disturbance-driven changes and investments into restoring degraded plant communities. A primary agent of change within the sagebrush-steppe is wildfire and invasion by non-native forbs and grasses, primarily cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Our objectives were to quantify seed removal and evaluate ecological factors influencing seed removal within degraded sagebrush-steppe by granivorous Owyhee harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen). In 2014, we sampled 76 harvester ant nests across 11 plots spanning a gradient of cheatgrass invasion (40-91% cover) in southwestern Idaho, USA. We presented seeds from four plant species commonly used in post-fire restoration at 1.5 and 3.0 m from each nest to quantify seed removal. We evaluated seed selection for presented species, monthly removal, and whether biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., distance to nearest nest, temperature) influenced seed removal. Our top model indicated seed removal was positively correlated with nest height, an indicator of colony size. Distance to seeds and cheatgrass canopy cover reduced seed removal, likely due to increased search and handling time. Harvester ants were selective, removing Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) more than any other species presented. We suspect this was due to ease of seed handling and low weight variability. Nest density influenced monthly seed removal, as we estimated monthly removal of 1,890 seeds for 0.25 ha plots with 1 nest and 29,850 seeds for plots with 15 nests. Applying monthly seed removal to historical restoration treatments across the western U.S. showed harvester ants can greatly reduce seed availability at degraded sagebrush sites; for instance, fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) seeds could be removed in <2 months. Collectively, these results shed light on seed removal by harvester ants and emphasize their potential influence on post-fire restoration within invaded sagebrush communities.

opennotspecifiedJun 2021View details →

FIGURE 1. Garcinia sibeswarii. A. Branch with fruit. B. Blaze showing exudates. C. Male flower. D. Female flower. E. Fruit. F. Fruit rind cut showing fibrous aril. G. Fruit cross section. H. Seed testa removed showing noduled surface. I in Garcinia sibeswarii (Clusiaceae), a new species from Assam, India

FIGURE 1. Garcinia sibeswarii. A. Branch with fruit. B. Blaze showing exudates. C. Male flower. D. Female flower. E. Fruit. F. Fruit rind cut showing fibrous aril. G. Fruit cross section. H. Seed testa removed showing noduled surface. I. Mature seed.