scholarly journals Seed Dispersal Patterns in Two Closely Related Howler Monkey Species (Alouatta palliataandA. pigra): A Preliminary Report of Differences in Fruit Consumption, Traveling Behavior, and Associated Dung Beetle Assemblages

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine R. Amato ◽  
Alejandro Estrada
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Monkey Species ◽  
Beetle Assemblages

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

Effects of dung presence, dung amount and secondary dispersal by dung beetles on the fate of Micropholis guyanensis (Sapotaceae) seeds in Central Amazonia

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELLEN ANDRESEN
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Tropical Plants ◽  
Initial Seed ◽  
Seed Fates

The study of seed fate is crucial for understanding fruit-frugivore interactions. One factor that can greatly influence the fate of seeds dispersed through mammal defecation, is the dung that accompanies the seeds. Dung attracts dung beetles and rodents; the former eat and bury dung, the latter feed on seeds. In this study the fate of Micropholis guyanensis subsp. guyanensis seeds surrounded by no dung and by 5, 10 and 25 g of howler monkey dung was followed until seedling establishment. The depths at which dung beetles bury the seeds were measured, and the effect of burial depth on seedling emergence was determined. Although initial seed fates differed among treatments, the same percentage of seedlings established from seeds without faecal material, and from seeds with 5, 10 and 25 g of dung. However, a significantly higher proportion of seedlings established from buried seeds when compared to seeds that remained on the surface. The percentage of seedlings establishing in a controlled germination experiment decreased significantly with increasing burial depth. The effect of dung beetle activity should be taken into consideration when assessing the role that mammal endozoochory plays on seed dispersal ecology of tropical plants. These results provide further evidence for the emerging realization that the study of secondary seed dispersal and post-dispersal events is crucial for a more complete understanding of plant regeneration.

scholarly journals Wood Pastures: A Transitional Habitat between Forests and Pastures for Dung Beetle Assemblages

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
László Somay ◽  
Viktor Szigeti ◽  
Gergely Boros ◽  
Réka Ádám ◽  
András Báldi
Keyword(s):  
Functional Group ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Beetle Assemblages

Wood pastures are home to a variety of species, including the dung beetle. Dung beetles are an important functional group in decomposition. Specifically, in terms of livestock manure, they not only contribute to nutrient cycling but are key players in supporting human and animal health. Dung beetles, however, are declining in population, and urgent recommendations are needed to reverse this trend. Recommendations need to be based on solid evidence and specific habitats. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of an intermediate habitat type between forests and pastures. Wood pastures are key areas for dung beetle conservation. For this reason, we compared dung beetle assemblages among forests, wood pastures, and grasslands. We complemented this with studies on the effects of dung type and season at three Hungarian locations. Pitfall traps baited with cattle, sheep, or horse dung were used in forests, wood pastures, and pasture habitats in spring, summer, and autumn. Dung beetle assemblages of wood pastures showed transient characteristics between forests and pastures regarding their abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity, assemblage composition, and indicator species. We identified a strong effect of season and a weak of dung type. Assemblage composition proved to be the most sensitive measure of differences among habitats. The conservation of dung beetles, and the decomposition services they provide, need continuous livestock grazing to provide fresh dung, as well as the maintenance of wood pastures where dung beetle assemblages typical of forests and pastures can both survive.

Avian fruit consumption and seed dispersal in a temperate Australian woodland

2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARGARET C. STANLEY ◽  
ALAN LILL
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Fruit Consumption
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