scholarly journals Frugivory and seed dispersal by chelonians: A review and synthesis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Falcón ◽  
Don Moll ◽  
Dennis Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Major Part ◽  
The Other ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Distribución Geográfica

AbstractIn recent years, it has become clear that frugivory and seed dispersal (FSD) by turtles and tortoises is much more common than previously thought. Yet, a review and synthesis is lacking. We here review published and unpublished records of chelonian FSD, and assess the role of chelonians as seed dispersers, from individual species to the community level. We first discuss the distribution of chelonian FSD and the characteristics of the fruit and/or seed species eaten and dispersed by chelonians. We then use the seed dispersal efficiency framework to explore the quantitative and qualitative components of seed dispersal by tortoises and turtles, embarking on a journey from when the fruits and/or seeds are consumed, to when and where they are deposited, and assess how efficient chelonians are as seed dispersers. We finally discuss chelonian FSD in the context of communities and chelonians as megafauna. We found that a substantial proportion of the world’s aquatic and terrestrial turtles and a major part of testudinid tortoises (70 species in 12 families) include fruits and/or seeds in their diet, and that furits of at least 588 plant species in 120 families are ingested and/or dispersed by chelonians. For some chelonians, overall or in certain seasons, fruit may even form the largest part of their diet. Contrary to seed dispersal by lizards, the other major reptilian frugivores, chelonian FSD is not an island phenomenon in terms of geographic distribution. Nevertheless, on islands especially tortoises are often among the largest native terrestrial vertebrates—or were, until humans got there. We synthesize our knowledge of chelonian FSD, and discuss the relevance of our findings for conservation and restoration, especially in relation to rewilding with large and giant tortoises.ResumenEn años recientes, se ha hecho claro que la frugivoría y dispersión de semillas (FDS) llevada a cabo por tortugas (quelónidos) es más común de lo antes pensado. No obstante, todavía carecíamos de una revisión y síntesis sobre este tema. En este artículo, revisamos récords (publicados y no publicados) sobre FDS por quelónidos, y evaluamos su rol como dispersores de semillas, desde el nivel de individuos, al nivel de comunidades. Primero, discutimos la distribución de FDS por quelónidos, y las características de las especies de frutos y/o semillas consumidas y dispersadas por tortugas. Luego hacemos uso del concepto de la eficiencia de dispersión de semillas como marco de referencia para explorar los componentes cualitativos y cuantitativos de la FDS por quelónidos, embarcándonos en un viaje desde cuando los frutos y/o semillas son consumidas, hasta cuando son depositadas. También evaluamos cuán eficientes son los quelónidos como dispersores de semillas. Finalmente procedemos a discutir la FDS por quelónidos en el contexto de comunidades, y como ‘megafauna’. Encontramos que una proporción substancial de las tortugas acuáticas del mundo y la mayor parte de las tortugas testudínidas (70 especies en 12 familias) incluyen frutos y/o semillas en su dieta que abarcan al menos 588 especies de plantas en 120 familias. En algunas especies, en general o en algunas estaciones, la mayor parte de su dieta está conformada por frutas y/o semillas. Más importante aún, y contrario a las lagartijas, que son otro grupo importante de reptiles que incurre en FDS, la frugivoría y dispersión de semillas por quelónidos no es un fenómeno de islas solamente, en términos de distribución geográfica. Empero, en islas, especialmente las tortugas terrestres, están entre los vertebrados nativos de mayor tamaño–o lo estuvieron, hasta que los humanos llegaron a ellas. En este artículo, hacemos una síntesis de las lecciones aprendidas hasta ahora sobre la FDS por quelónidos, y discutimos la relevancia de nuestros hallazgos para la conservación y restauración, especialmente en relación a proyectos de resilvestrar (‘rewilding’) con tortugas gigantes o de gran tamaño.

scholarly journals The role of the brown bear Ursus arctos as a legitimate megafaunal seed disperser

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto García-Rodríguez ◽  
Jörg Albrecht ◽  
Sylwia Szczutkowska ◽  
Alfredo Valido ◽  
Nina Farwig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Regeneration ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Mediterranean Forests ◽  
Brown Bears ◽  
Fleshy Fruits ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Regeneration Processes

AbstractMegafaunal frugivores can consume large amounts of fruits whose seeds may be dispersed over long distances, thus, affecting plant regeneration processes and ecosystem functioning. We investigated the role of brown bears (Ursus arctos) as legitimate megafaunal seed dispersers. We assessed the quantity component of seed dispersal by brown bears across its entire distribution based on information about both the relative frequency of occurrence and species composition of fleshy fruits in the diet of brown bears extracted from the literature. We assessed the quality component of seed dispersal based on germination experiments for 11 fleshy-fruited plant species common in temperate and boreal regions and frequently eaten by brown bears. Across its distribution, fleshy fruits, on average, represented 24% of the bear food items and 26% of the total volume consumed. Brown bears consumed seeds from at least 101 fleshy-fruited plant species belonging to 24 families and 42 genera, of which Rubus (Rosaceae) and Vaccinium (Ericaceae) were most commonly eaten. Brown bears inhabiting Mediterranean forests relied the most on fleshy fruits and consumed the largest number of species per study area. Seeds ingested by bears germinated at higher percentages than those from whole fruits, and at similar percentages than manually depulped seeds. We conclude that brown bears are legitimate seed dispersers as they consume large quantities of seeds that remain viable after gut passage. The decline of these megafaunal frugivores may compromise seed dispersal services and plant regeneration processes.

scholarly journals Fruit-eating fishes of Banara arguta (Salicaceae) in the Miranda River floodplain, Pantanal wetland

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Costa-Pereira ◽  
Francisco Severo-Neto ◽  
Tamires Soares Yule ◽  
Ana Paula Tinti Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Dispersal Strategy ◽  
Ecological Consequences ◽  
River Floodplain ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Pantanal Wetland

The role of fish as frugivorous and its ecological consequences are often neglected in ecological studies. However, the importance of the interaction between fish and plants is gaining force in scientific literature, and fish has been considered effective seed dispersers. The fruit-eating fish assemblage of Banara arguta (Salicaceae) was evaluated in Southern Pantanal wetlands. Nine species were reported consuming fruits, with different strategies to capture them. The distribution of B. arguta associated with the Pantanal floodplain and the presence of several species of fruit-eating fish, suggest that ichthyochory can be an important seed dispersal strategy to B. arguta.

scholarly journals Paweł Szymański’s Self-Analyses Reread

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Naliwajek-Mazurek
Keyword(s):  
Major Part ◽  
The Other ◽  
Musical Language ◽  
Luciano Berio ◽  
Other Hand

Abstract The article is an attempt to present important categories of composer Paweł Szymański’s musical language, based on his self-analytical statements, which were in major part answers to musicologists’ questions. Luciano Berio pointed out why the situation of a composer who would like to address questions about his or her music is difficult - a lack of necessary detachment would be one of the reasons. A musicologist, on the other hand, is tempted to construct their own supposedly objective analytical view of a composer’s musical language. The dialogistic approach proposed by anthropological musicology may be a solution to these dilemmas. Other main topics mentioned in the article are related to the role of meta-concepts in Szymański’s musical language.

scholarly journals Integrating plant species contribution to mycorrhizal and seed dispersal mutualistic networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 20180770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Correia ◽  
Susana Rodríguez-Echeverría ◽  
Sérgio Timóteo ◽  
Helena Freitas ◽  
Ruben Heleno
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Plant Population Dynamics ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Amf Communities ◽  
Common Plant

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 diversity and importance of plant mutualists above- and belowground are correlated, and (2) whether biotically and abiotically dispersed plants are associated with distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We quantified seed dispersal by animals for 1 year and characterized the AMF of 26 common plant species. Sixteen plant species were dispersed by 15 animals and colonized by 48 AMF virtual taxa (VT), while the remaining 10 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. Our results suggest that the establishment of plant interactions with seed dispersers and mycorrhizal fungi is largely independent and that both biotically and abiotically dispersed plants seem to associate with similar communities of AMF.

Dispersal of mimetic seeds of three species of Ormosia (Leguminosae)

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes S. Foster ◽  
Linda S. Delay
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Seed Predation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Seed Surface ◽  
Mutualistic Relationship

ABSTRACT. Seeds with ‘imitation arils’ appear wholly or partially covered by pulp or aril but actually carry no fleshy material. The mimetic seed hypothesis to explain this phenomenon proposes a parasitic relationship in which birds are deceived into dispersing seeds that resemble bird-dispersed fruits, without receiving a nutrient reward. The hard-seed for grit hypothesis proposes a mutualistic relationship in which large, terrestrial birds swallow the exceptionally hard mimetic seeds as grit for grinding the softer seeds on which they feed. They defecate, dispersing the seeds, and abrade the seed surface, enhancing germination. Any fruit mimicry is incidental. Fruiting trees of Ormosia spp. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) were observed to ascertain mechanisms of seed dispersal and the role of seemingly mimetic characteristics of the seeds in that dispersal. Seed predation and seed germination were also examined. Ormosia isthamensis and O. macrocalyx (but not O. bopiensis) deceived arboreally-foraging frugivorous birds into taking their mimetic seeds, although rates of seed dispersal were low. These results are consistent with the mimetic seed hypothesis. On the other hand, the rates of disappearance of seeds from the ground under the Ormosia trees, hardness of the seeds, and enhancement of germination with the abrasion of the seed coat are all consistent with the hard-seed for grit hypothesis. RESUMEN. Semillas con arilos falsos aparecen estar cubiertas en parte o completamente por pulpa o arilo, pero en realidad no llevan ninguna materia carnosa. El hipótesis semilla mímica propone que las semillas parecen frutos carnosos cuyas semillas están dispersadas por aves y que engañan las aves a dispersar sus semillas sin recibir una recompensa nutritiva — una relación parasítica. El hipótesis semilla dura para arenisca propone que aves grandes y terrestres tragan las semillas mímicas y excepcionalmente duras como arenisca para moler las semillas más suaves en que se alimentan; las aves defecan y dispersan las semillas, y las rascan, lo cual mejora la germinación — una relación mutua. Cualquier mimetismo es incidente. Se observaron árboles de Ormosia espp. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) con frutos para averiguar los mecanismos de dispersión de semillas y el papel que hacen las características aparentemente mímicas de sus semillas en esa dispersión. Se examinaron también la depredación y germinación de semillas. Las semillas mímicas de Ormosia isthamensis y O. macrocalyx (pero no O. bopiensis), engañaron aves frugivoras y arbóreas en comerlas, aunque las tasas de dispersión eran bajas. Estos resultados son consistente con el hipótesis semilla mímica. En cambio, las tasas de desaparición de semillas caídas de Ormosia, dureza de las semillas, y mejoramiento de germinación con la raedura de las capas de las semillas son consistente con el hipótesis semilla dura para arenisca.

scholarly journals Seed Dispersal by Brown Bears, Ursus arctos, in Southeastern Alaska

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary F. Willson ◽  
Scott M. Gende
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Forest Understory ◽  
Habitat Distribution ◽  
Brown Bears ◽  
Fleshy Fruits ◽  
Scat Analyses

Mammals often consume fleshy fruits and disperse significant quantities of the enclosed seeds. In southeastern Alaska, Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) are among the most important dispersers of seeds for the numerous plant species producing fleshy fruits, because these bears are abundant, often eat large quantities of fruit, and commonly excrete seeds in germinable condition. Scat analyses showed that Brown Bears on Chichagof Island ate increasing quantities of fruit through summer and fall. Scats commonly contained several thousand seeds, often of two or more species. Four kinds of seeds of fleshyfruited plants that normally grow in forest understory germinated at similar levels when experimentally deposited (in bear scats) in the two most common habitats (forest and muskeg), suggesting that habitat distribution of these plants is not determined simply by germination patterns. Although seed passage through bear digestive tracts and the composition of scats are known to affect germination rates to some degree, the most important role of bears in seed dispersal is probably transport.

scholarly journals Potential role of frugivorous birds (Passeriformes) on seed dispersal of six plant species a restinga habitat, southeastern Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Souza da Mota Gomes ◽  
Maria Célia Rodrigues Correia ◽  
Heloisa Alves de Lima ◽  
Maria Alice S. Alves
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Frugivorous Birds

scholarly journals The Use of Drug Testing in Monitoring the Impaired Medical Professional

2005 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Steven I. Altchuler
Keyword(s):  
Major Part ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
The Other ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Medical Tests ◽  
Drug Test

ABSTRACT Drug testing is considered a major part of monitoring medical professionals disciplined by licensing boards. Drug testing can serve two different roles when used by a licensee; the other to help the licensee maintain abstinence. The results of the drug tests themselves can also be confounding. As with all medical tests, a drug test may be accurate or yield a false positive or a false negative. For example, a board may learn from other sources a licensee is using drugs, but a drug test is negative. A licensee may insist they are not using drugs, but a drug test is positive. We discuss the role of drug testing in helping boards and the technical aspects of testing, to help boards decide when to use drug tests and how to interpret them.

Seed cleaning of Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae) by ants: edge effect in a highland forest in south-east Brazil

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Roberto Guimarães Jr ◽  
Rodrigo Cogni
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Fragmentation ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Edge Effect ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Population Changes ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Conservation Of Biodiversity

The integrity of ecological interactions, such as pollination and seed dispersal, has been recognized as important for long-term conservation of biodiversity (Asquith et al. 1999, Buchmann & Nabhan 1997, Howe 1984, Pizo 1997). This is illustrated by the fact that the loss of large-bodied animals like birds and mammals after habitat fragmentation can result in population changes or even extinction of many plant species (Silva & Tabarelli 2000). In the absence of primary seed dispersers (vertebrates), the importance of invertebrates such as ants, that can carry or clean seeds, probably increases.

The role of epizoochorous seed dispersal of forest plant species in a fragmented landscape

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente Jessen Graae
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Seed Content ◽  
Forest Plant Species ◽  
Forest Plants ◽  
Forest Habitats

A domestic dog was used in two experiments to elucidate the role of epizoochorous seed dispersal of forest plants. First, the dog was walked through forest vegetation at different times of year and its coat analysed for seeds retained within it. The seed content of the coat was compared to seed frequencies in the vegetation. Secondly, seeds of 11 plant species were placed in different positions on the dog, and their persistence in the coat analysed with respect to distance subsequently travelled. The experiments demonstrate that seeds with morphological adaptations to seed dispersal and small seeds of tall species can be caught effectively by a dog’s coat. The morphologically adapted seeds can be dispersed over large distances as long as the dog moves steadily along a road. The same is true for species with small and smooth seeds if they are deposited on the back of the dog, but not if they are placed on its side. Comparisons of these results with the distribution of forest species in a fragmented landscape, indicated that tall species with small seeds and species with morphological adaptations for epizoochorous dispersal are good at colonizing new forest habitats.

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