scholarly journals Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Milotić ◽  
Christophe Baltzinger ◽  
Carsten Eichberg ◽  
Amy E. Eycott ◽  
Marco Heurich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Western Palaearctic ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

Short-term post-dispersal fate of seeds defecated by two small primate species (Saguinus mystaxandSaguinus fuscicollis) in the Amazonian forest of Peru

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Culot ◽  
Marie-Claude Huynen ◽  
Paul Gérard ◽  
Eckhard W. Heymann
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Amazonian Forest ◽  
Saguinus Fuscicollis ◽  
High Quality Seed ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

Abstract:Post-dispersal fate of seeds dispersed by large primates is well studied but little is known about this process in small frugivores like tamarins. This study in the Amazonian forest of Peru aimed at investigating if characteristics related to the defecation patterns of tamarins (Saguinus mystaxandSaguinus fuscicollis) affected short-term post-dispersal seed fate, through secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles and removal by seed predators. Data on dung beetle activity were based on direct observations of 49 defecations while seed fate was studied using semi-controlled experiments (N = 458 for secondary dispersal and N = 398 for predation). Tamarins produce small defecations with a low number of seeds. Thirty-five per cent of defecations were visited by an average of 1.5 dung beetles that usually transport the faeces as pellets. Twenty-four per cent of seeds were buried by beetles at a mean depth of 3.5 cm. With increasing quantities of faecal matter, the probability of secondary seed dispersal increased but not the depth of burial. Seed predation pressure was low (17.6%) after 4 d and higher in faeces ofS. mystaxthan in faeces ofS. fuscicollis. Despite their small size, tamarins could be considered as high-quality seed dispersers, with a potential role for forest regeneration.

Dung beetles are critical in preventing post-dispersal seed removal by rodents in Congo rain forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Beaune ◽  
Loïc Bollache ◽  
François Bretagnolle ◽  
Barbara Fruth
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Seed Removal ◽  
Animal Dung ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

Dung beetles (Scarabaeidae subfamily Scarabaeinae) are ubiquitous and play an important role in the removal of animal dung and the dispersal of seeds embedded therein. They exhibit a range of dung-acquisition and burying behaviours, from burying dung directly beneath the dung deposit to rolling dung balls up to several metres. Dung beetles act as important agents for secondary seed dispersal and seed survival: the burial of seeds is said to be of advantage against predators and desiccation (Andresen & Feer 2005, Culot et al. 2009, Feer 1999). In addition, burial of seeds by dung beetles is considered beneficial as seeds are not only deposited within the range of depths that are favourable for seedling establishment but also among organic fertilizer that is said to increase seedling growth rates (Andresen 1999, 2002; Estrada & Coates-Estrada 1991, Shepherd & Chapman 1998).

scholarly journals Indirect restoration of ecological interactions: reintroduction of a dung-beetle associated primate increases the recruitment of large seeds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna R. Landim ◽  
Fernando A. S. Fernandez ◽  
Alexandra S. Pires
Keyword(s):  
Plant Regeneration ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

AbstractThe biased loss of large and medium frugivores alters seed dispersal and plant regeneration. Species reintroductions have been proposed as a strategy to reverse the consequences of species loss. However, the effects of reintroductions on ecological processes are seldom accessed, which hinders the comprehension of reintroductions’ potential to reestablish functioning ecosystems. In this study, we investigate the effect of howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) reintroduction on the plant regeneration of Tijuca National Park (TNP), a defaunated Atlantic Forest fragment. Howlers are folivore-frugivore primates, whose large clumped defecations attract dung beetles, which provide secondary dispersal by burying seeds present in the howlers’ feces. Thus, we expect that the fate of seeds dispersed by howlers will differ from those dispersed by other frugivores present in the Park. We followed the fate of seeds between 3 and 14mm in diameter in three steps of the seed dispersal loop, each one consisting of a different experiment. First, we estimated secondary seed dispersal and burial depth probabilities according to the frugivores’ defecation pattern; then, predation probability in different burial depths and defecation patterns; and, finally, recruitment probability in different burial depths. Considering the final result of the three experiments, the howlers’ reintroduction affected positively the regeneration of large seeds. The fate of 3mm seeds was little affected because they were seldom preyed upon at shallower depths anyway and could not recruit when deeply buried. On the other hand, seeds larger than 3mm reached the seedling stage more frequently when dispersed by howlers than when dispersed by other animals present in the Park. Thus, howler monkey reintroduction in defaunated areas, in addition to smaller frugivores, whose defecation patterns are less attractive for dung beetles, improves the regeneration of large seeds. We hope that this study will stimulate new howler reintroductions in defaunated areas.

scholarly journals Dung beetle assemblages, dung removal and secondary seed dispersal: data from a large-scale, multi-site experiment in the Western Palaearctic

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Milotić ◽  
Christophe Baltzinger ◽  
Carsten Eichberg ◽  
Amy E. Eycott ◽  
Marco Heurich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Western Palaearctic ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

scholarly journals Dung beetle assemblages, dung removal and secondary seed dispersal: data from a large-scale, multi-site experiment in the Western Palaearctic

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Milotić ◽  
Christophe Baltzinger ◽  
Carsten Eichberg ◽  
Amy E. Eycott ◽  
Marco Heurich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Western Palaearctic ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal
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