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

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.

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 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

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.

scholarly journals A mechanistic model for secondary seed dispersal by wind and its experimental validation

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 1017-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK M. SCHURR ◽  
WILLIAM J. BOND ◽  
GUY F. MIDGLEY ◽  
STEVEN I. HIGGINS
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal
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