Investment in reward by ant-dispersed plants consistently selects for better partners along a geographic gradient

Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) is an asymmetric, presumably mutualistic interaction, where a few ant species benefit many plants. Myrmecochorous plants express specialized adaptations, most notably a large elaiosome, which promote interactions with efficient seed dispersers while decreasing interactions with poor dispersers, resulting in de facto partner choice. However, because variation in plants’ investment in reward and ant response to them may vary spatially and temporally, it is unclear whether such specialization is consistent along geographic gradients; especially towards myrmecochory’s range margin. To answer this question on context-dependent partner choice, we first estimated variation in reward investment by co-occurring myrmecochores along a steep environmental gradient in a Mediterranean region. Second, we tested whether variation in plant investment in reward was positively and consistently correlated with the quality of dispersal plant received along the same gradient. Using in situ cafeteria experiments, we simultaneously presented diaspores of locally co-occurring myrmecochorous species to ants of two guilds representing high- and low-quality dispersers. We then recorded ant-seed behaviour, seed preference and seed removal rates for each ant guild. We found both overall and within-site high variation among plant species in the total and relative investment in elaiosomes. Both ant guilds removed substantial proportion of the seeds. However, scavenging ants (high-quality dispersers) clearly preferred diaspores with larger elaiosomes, whereas granivorous ants (low-quality dispersers) exhibited no preference. Furthermore, both the variation in plant traits and the corresponding response of different ant guilds were consistent along the studied geographic gradient. This consistency holds even when granivores, which removed seeds in a non-selective fashion and provided apparently low-quality seed dispersal services, were, at least numerically, the dominant ant guild. This dominance and the consistency of the partner choice shed light on the functionality of elaiosomes at the margins of myrmecochory’s distribution.

Cover crop seed preference of four common weed seed predators

Invertebrate seed predators (ISPs) are an important component of agroecosystems that help regulate weed populations. Previous research has shown that ISPs' seed preference depends on the plant and ISP species. Although numerous studies have quantified weed seed losses from ISPs, limited research has been conducted on the potential for ISPs to consume cover crop seeds. Cover crops are sometimes broadcast seeded, and because seeds are left on the soil surface, they are susceptible to ISPs. We hypothesized that (1) ISPs will consume cover crop seeds to the same extent as weed seeds, (2) seed preference will vary by plant and ISP species, and (3) seed consumption will be influenced by seed morphology and nutritional characteristics. We conducted seed preference trials with four common ISPs [Pennsylvania dingy ground beetle (Harpalus pensylvanicus), common black ground beetle (Pterostichus melanarius), Allard's ground cricket (Allonemobius allardi) and fall field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus)] in laboratory no choice and choice feeding assays. We compared seed predation of ten commonly used cover crop species [barley (Hordeum vulgare), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), forage radish (Raphanus sativus), cereal rye (Secale cereale), white mustard (Sinapis alba), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), triticale (×Triticosecale) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa)] and three weed species [velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)]. All four ISPs readily consumed cover crop seeds (P < 0.05), but cover crops with hard seed coats and seed hulls such as hairy vetch and barley were less preferred. Our results suggest that farmers should select cover crop species that are avoided by ISPs if they plan on broadcasting the seed, such as with aerial interseeding.

Do plant secondary metabolites help drive avian granivore seed selection?

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), found virtually universally throughout the plant kingdom, function in myriad ways, including defense against enemies, attraction of pollinators, communication between plants, and protection against various abiotic stressors. Extensive research has examined how PSMs mediate interactions between plants and herbivores and plant and frugivores. In contrast, little research has investigated their potential role in defense against granivores. In two seed selection experiments, we quantified seed preference of house sparrows and native granivores, respectively, when offered each of 10 native seeds and proso millet, a commercial bird seed. House sparrows and native granivores greatly preferred millet over all offered native seeds. House sparrows largely rejected seeds of all five wildflower species, but native granivores preferred three of the five wildflowers. House sparrows readily consumed seeds of all five native grass species, but native granivores rejected Canada rye. House sparrows and native granivores both rejected seeds of Illinois bundle flower. Although seed preferences in the non-native house sparrow and native granivores differed significantly, we have found no consistent relationship between seed selection and presence or absence of classes of plant secondary metabolites.

Do plant secondary metabolites help drive avian granivore seed selection?

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), found virtually universally throughout the plant kingdom, function in myriad ways, including defense against enemies, attraction of pollinators, communication between plants, and protection against various abiotic stressors. Extensive research has examined how PSMs mediate interactions between plants and herbivores and plant and frugivores. In contrast, little research has investigated their potential role in defense against granivores. In two seed selection experiments, we quantified seed preference of house sparrows and native granivores, respectively, when offered each of 10 native seeds and proso millet, a commercial bird seed. House sparrows and native granivores greatly preferred millet over all offered native seeds. House sparrows largely rejected seeds of all five wildflower species, but native granivores preferred three of the five wildflowers. House sparrows readily consumed seeds of all five native grass species, but native granivores rejected Canada rye. House sparrows and native granivores both rejected seeds of Illinois bundle flower. Although seed preferences in the non-native house sparrow and native granivores differed significantly, we have found no consistent relationship between seed selection and presence or absence of classes of plant secondary metabolites.

Giant Foxtail Seed Predation byHarpalus pensylvanicus(Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The utility of biological control for weed management in agroecosystems will increase with a greater understanding of the relationships between common weed and granivore species. Giant foxtail is an introduced, summer annual grass weed that is common throughout the United States and problematic in numerous crops.Harpalus pensylvanicus(DeGeer) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is a common, native, omnivorous carabid beetle with a range that overlaps giant foxtail. In 2004 and 2005,H. pensylvanicuswas captured from farm fields in Centre County, PA, and subjected to laboratory feeding trials to test the preference of giant foxtail and other species on predation byH. pensylvanicus. Weed species seed preference experiments that included “Choice” and “No Choice” treatments were conducted using giant foxtail, common lambsquarters, and velvetleaf. When given a choice amongst the three weed species,H. pensylvanicuspreferred giant foxtail and common lambsquarters seeds equally compared to velvetleaf seeds. When given the choice,H. pensylvanicuspreferred newly dispersed giant foxtail seeds over field-aged seeds. Phenology of giant foxtail seed shed relative toH. pensylvanicusactivity density was also quantified in field experiments in 2005 and 2006. Giant foxtail seed rain was determined by collecting shed seeds from August through October using pan traps. Activity density ofH. pensylvanicuswas monitored for 72-h periods using pitfall traps from June to October. Peak activity density ofH. pensylvanicusoccurred at the onset of giant foxtail seed shed in both years; however, giant foxtail seed shed peaked approximately 30 to 50 d afterH. pensylvanicusactivity density. Future research should focus on management practices that enhance and supportH. pensylvanicuspopulations later in the growing season to maximize suppression of giant foxtail and other weeds that shed palatable seeds later in the season.