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opencc-zeroFeb 2020View details →

Disentangling direct and indirect effects of habitat fragmentation on wild plants' pollinator visits and seed production

Habitat fragmentation threatens plant and pollinator communities, as well as their interactions. However, the effects of landscape fragmentation on the pollination of wild plant species are not well-understood yet, partly because in fragmented landscapes there are many correlated features (e.g. decreased patch size, increased isolation and patch complexity) whose influences are difficult to disentangle. Using a SEM approach, we assessed the direct and indirect effects of landscape fragmentation (patch size, isolation and complexity, percentage of surrounding forest) on the abundance, functional-group richness and evenness of pollinators of 24 habitat fragments within an agricultural landscape in Southern Norway. In addition, we studied how these variables affected visitation rates (visits/flower) and seed production (seed set, seed weight) in the four most abundant plant species in the area. Flower abundance was higher in larger and complex patches and decreased with the percentage of forest in the surroundings, while flower richness increased with patch complexity. We found a direct negative relationship between patch complexity and the overall number of pollinator visits that the habitat fragments received. Apart from this direct landscape effect, pollinator visits were mostly affected by the floral communities, with overall flower abundance and richness increasing both total number of pollinator visits and pollinator-group richness, and flower richness having an additional negative influence on pollinator-group evenness. Interestingly, we did not find any direct link between visitation rates and reproductive success for any of the study plant species. Instead, several landscape variables directly affected species seed production, although the effects of landscape on seed production were highly species-specific. Patch complexity, had a negative effect on seed production in two of the four focal species, while other components of the landscape had species-specific effects. Increasing fragmentation of agricultural landscapes affects pollination interactions at the community level and the reproduction of wild plants. However, understanding the effects of fragmentation on seed production requires going beyond estimating visitation rates, since landscape effects on plant reproduction are not always related to overall interaction frequencies.

opencc-zeroMay 2020View details →

Data from: Co-introduction of native mycorrhizal fungi and plant seeds accelerates restoration of post-mining landscapes

1. Grasslands are among the most threatened terrestrial biomes, and habitat conservation alone will be insufficient to meet biodiversity goals. While restoration of indigenous grasslands is a priority, conflict with economic objectives means that incorporation of alternative habitats is necessary to offset grassland loss. With up to 800,000 km² of land affected by mining globally, there is an opportunity to create additional grassland habitat in post-mining landscapes. 2. We aimed to assess whether co-introduction of native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plants is an efficient means of initializing species rich vegetation recovery in barren post-mining landscapes. We established an experiment in three post-mining areas in Estonia, where we seeded plots with native plant seeds and inoculated them with trap cultured native AM fungi from a similar habitat. We measured the abundance and composition of soil AM fungal and aboveground plant communities in two consecutive years using relevés, high-throughput sequencing and fatty acid profiling. 3. Our results demonstrate that co-introduction of native plants and AM fungi is an effective way to establish species rich vegetation in post-mining areas. Co-introduction of symbiotic partners resulted in higher richness, diversity and abundance of plants and AM fungi than when either partner was introduced individually. However, the plant and AM fungal communities in sown and inoculated plots were not distinct from those in uninoculated treatments; they rather formed a subset of all taxa present on the sites but exhibited higher diversity than uninoculated plots. 4. Synthesis and applications: This study shows that managing the below-ground microbiome is an essential part of vegetation restoration. The availability of symbiotic partners can be considered a key aspect determining the diversity of restored vegetation. Targeted inoculations with native and habitat-specific AM fungi could therefore increase restoration success.28-Apr-2020

opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Genetic differentiation within multiple common grassland plants supports seed transfer zones for ecological restoration

Ecological restoration of grasslands is increasingly based on regional seeds derived from predefined seed transfer zones. However, the degree and spatial pattern of genetic differentiation among provenances of different seed transfer zones is largely unknown. We assessed the genetic differentiation among eight out of 22 German seed transfer zones for seven common grassland species (Arrhenatherum elatius, Centaurea jacea, Daucus carota, Galium album, Hypochaeris radicata, Knautia arvensis and Lychnis flos-cuculi) using AFLP markers. We analysed genetic population structure with AMOVA and Bayesian cluster analysis and tested for isolation by distance and isolation by environment. In all of the investigated species, almost all pairs of provenances were genetically differentiated. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed species-specific numbers and spatial patterns of gene pools, with between two (Arrhenatherum) and eight clusters (Lychnis). Most investigated seed transfer zones represented a unique gene pool in the majority of the species. We found isolation by distance in four species, isolation by environment, driven by climatic seasonality, in three species, and a lack of both in three species. Thus, the observed genetic differentiation appears to be caused by both neutral and adaptive processes. Synthesis and applications. Our study shows that grassland plants are indeed strongly genetically differentiated across Germany supporting the strategy of seed transfer zones for ecological restoration. Although the predefined seed transfer zones are unlikely to match the exact genetic structure of many species, they serve their purpose by capturing a substantial amount of intraspecific genetic variation across species.

opencc-zeroDec 2018View details →

Data from: Integrating plant species contribution to mycorrhizal and seed dispersal mutualistic networks

Mutualistic interactions like those established between plants and mycorrhizal fungi or seed dispersers are key drivers of plant population dynamics and ecosystem functioning, however, these interactions have rarely been explored together. We assembled a tripartite fungi-plant-disperser network in the Gorongosa National Park - Mozambique, to test 1) if the diversity and importance of plant mutualists above- and belowground are correlated, and 2) whether biotically and abiotically dispersed plants are associated with similar or distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities. We quantified seed dispersal by animals during one year and characterized the community of 26 common plant species. Sixteen plant species were dispersed by 15 animals and colonized by 48 AMF virtual taxa (VT), while the remaining ten plant species were not dispersed by animals and associated with 34 AMF VT. We found no evidence for a correlation between the number of plant partners above- and belowground or on plant specialization on both types of partners. We also found no evidence for differentiation of AMF communities between biotically and abiotically dispersed plants. Altogether, these results suggest that the establishment of plant interactions with seed dispersers and mycorrhizal fungi are largely independent and that both biotically and abiotically dispersed plants seem to associate with similar communities of AM fungi.

opencc-zeroDec 2017View details →

Data from: Fire-sensitive species dominate seed rain in a long unburned Cerrado: implications for plant community diversity and woody encroachment in savannas

Woody encroachment is becoming common in tropical savannas. Seed rain data and seed addition experiments in a long unburned Brazilian savanna indicate that abundant seed rain of fire-sensitive species can surpass limitations to recruitment and lead to woody encroachment. Thus, active fire management may be required to maintain savanna diversity.

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: Seed dispersers help plants to escape global warming

Plants are shifting their ranges towards higher elevations in response to global warming, yet such shifts are occurring at a rate slower than is needed to keep pace with a rapidly changing climate. There is, however, an almost complete lack of knowledge on seed dispersal across altitude, a key process to understand what constrains climate-driven range shifts. Here, we report the first direct empirical evidence on altitudinal seed dispersal mediated by two common frugivorous mammals: the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the pine marten Martes martes. We conducted a three-year (bait-marking) experiment in a mountainous region of Spain. We offered experimental fruits containing colour-coded seed mimics at feeding stations that simulated source trees. The colour codes allowed us to identify the exact origin of seed mimics found later in mammal scats. Nearly half (47%) of the dispersal events occurred towards higher elevations, despite only ca 25% of the study area being above the average altitude of the feeding stations (1344 m). Seeds dispersed uphill gained an average of 106 m (median = 111 m) and a maximum of 288 m, greatly exceeding the estimated requirements to escape warming (35.4 m per decade). Yet, foxes mediated much more uphill seed dispersal than martens (57% and 26% of dispersal events, respectively), which can be explained by between-disperser differences in home range size and habitat specificity. Dispersers with larger home ranges move farther and potentially disperse more seeds to higher altitudes, while habitat generalism is necessary to transport seeds above vegetation belts delimiting contrasting habitat types. We discuss how both traits (home range size and habitat specificity) can be used to infer altitudinal seed dispersal across disperser species and mountainous landscapes.

FIGURES 47–54. Sennius leucostauros. 47 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 47–54. Sennius leucostauros. 47, dorsal view; 48, lateral view; 49, head, frontal view; 50, pygidium; 51, part of hind leg, internal view; 52, hind tibia, external view; 53, 54 male genitalia: 53, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 54, tegmen.

FIGURES 9–12. Sennius bondari. 9 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 9–12. Sennius bondari. 9, dorsal view; 10, pygidium; 11, 12 male genitalia: 11, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified of internal sac; 12, tegmen.

FIGURES 13–20. Sennius durangensis. 13 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 13–20. Sennius durangensis. 13, dorsal view; 14, lateral view; 15, head, frontal view; 16, pygidium; 17, part of hind leg, internal view; 18, hind tibia, external view; 19,20 male genitalia: 19, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 20, tegmen.

FIGURES 83–91. Sennius transversesignatus. 83 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 83–91. Sennius transversesignatus. 83, dorsal view; 84, lateral view; 85, head, frontal view; 86, pygidium; 87, base of elytra strial; 88, part of hind leg, internal view; 89, hind tibia, external view; 90, 91 male genitalia: 90, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 91, tegmen.

FIGURES 75–82. Sennius rufomaculatus. 75 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 75–82. Sennius rufomaculatus. 75, dorsal view; 76, lateral view; 77, head, frontal view; 78, pygidium; 79, part of hind leg, internal view; 80, hind tibia, external view; 81, 82 male genitalia: 81, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 82, tegmen.

FIGURES 38–46. Sennius lebasi. 38 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 38–46. Sennius lebasi. 38, dorsal view; 39, lateral view; 40, head, frontal view; 41, pygidium; 42, base of elytra strial; 43, part of hind leg, internal view; 44, hind tibia, external view; 45, 46 male genitalia: 45, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 46, tegmen.

FIGURES 1–8. Sennius abbreviatus. 1 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 1–8. Sennius abbreviatus. 1, dorsal view; 2, lateral view; 3, head, frontal view; 4, pygidium; 5, part of hind leg, internal view; 6, hind tibia, external view; 7, 8, male genitalia: 7, median lobe with hinge sclerites (HE), others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes (LBL) of internal sac; 8, tegmen. AR: apical region; SMR: submedian region; SBR: subbasal region; BR: basal region.

FIGURES 100–107 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 100–107. Sennius vivi sp. nov. 100, dorsal view; 101, lateral view; 102, head, frontal view; 103, pygidium; 104, part of hind leg, internal view; 105, hind tibia, external view; 106, 107 male genitalia: 106, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 107, tegmen.

FIGURES 92–99. Sennius trinotaticollis. 92 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 92–99. Sennius trinotaticollis. 92, dorsal view; 93, lateral view; 94, head, frontal view; 95, pygidium; 96, part of hind leg, internal view; 97, hind tibia, external view; 98, 99 male genitalia: 98, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 99, tegmen.

FIGURES 29–37. Sennius lawrencei. 29 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 29–37. Sennius lawrencei. 29, dorsal view; 30, lateral view; 31, head, frontal view; 32, pygidium; 33, base of elytra strial; 34, part of hind leg, internal view; 35, hind tibia, external view; 36, 37 male genitalia: 36, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 37, tegmen.

FIGURES 21–28 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 21–28. Sennius flinte sp. nov. 21, dorsal view; 22, lateral view; 23, head, frontal view; 24, pygidium; 25, part of hind leg, internal view; 26, hind tibia, external view; 27, 28 male genitalia: 27, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 28, tegmen.

FIGURES 63–71. Sennius medialis. 63 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 63–71. Sennius medialis. 63, dorsal view; 64, lateral view; 65, head, frontal view; 66, pygidium; 67, base of elytra strial; 68, part of hind leg, internal view; 69, hind tibia, external view; 70, 71 male genitalia: 70, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 71, tegmen.

FIGURES 55–62. Sennius lojaensis. 55 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 55–62. Sennius lojaensis. 55, dorsal view; 56, lateral view; 57, head, frontal view; 58, pygidium; 59, part of hind leg, internal view; 60, hind tibia, external view; 61, 62 male genitalia: 61, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified and latero-basal lobes of internal sac; 62, tegmen.

FIGURES 72–74. Sennius nappi. 72 in Review of the largest species group of the New World seed beetle genus Sennius Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with host plant associations

FIGURES 72–74. Sennius nappi. 72, dorsal view; 73, 74 male genitalia: 73, median lobe with hinge sclerites, others sclerites magnified of internal sac; 74, tegmen.