Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: July 7, 2022
Abstract
Plant-pollinator
interactions
in
diverse
tropical
communities
are
often
predicted
by
a
combination
of
ecological
variables,
yet
the
interaction
drivers
between
flower-visiting
bats
and
plants
at
community
level
poorly
understood.
We
assembled
network
Neotropical
flowering
to
describe
its
macrostructure
test
role
neutral
niche
variables
predicting
microstructure.
found
moderately
generalized
with
internally
nested
modules
comprising
functionally
similar
species.
Modules
grouped
matching
degrees
specialization
but
had
considerable
overlap
species
morphologies
several
inter-module
interactions.
Both
morphological
spatiotemporal
overlap,
not
abundance,
were
best
predictors
microstructure,
functional
groups
also
interacting
more
frequently
certain
vegetation
types
(e.g.,
frugivores
within
forests)
seasons
long-snouted
nectarivores
dry
season).
Therefore,
appear
have
species-specific
spaces
delimited
only
their
ability
exploit
flower
preferred
foraging
habitats
timing
resource
availability.
The
prominent
spatial
temporal
synchrony
likely
reflects
heterogeneity
savannas,
further
research
biomes
beyond
Cerrado
is
needed
better
understand
complexity
this
system.
Biotropica,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
55(4), P. 849 - 865
Published: May 31, 2023
Abstract
Seed
dispersal
is
a
fundamental
process
that
highly
threatened
by
the
rapid
decline
of
large‐bodied
frugivores
worldwide.
The
Brazilian
Cerrado,
largest
savanna
in
world,
represents
an
ideal
site
for
investigating
seed
because
its
biodiversity,
environmental
challenges,
and
knowledge
shortfalls.
We
performed
systematic
literature
review
to
analyze
network
Cerrado
potential
impacts
defaunation
on
it.
considered
metrics,
calculated
index
frugivore
assemblage,
compared
traits
among
different
fruit‐sized
plants
their
respective
dispersers
network.
retrieved
1565
interactions
involving
193
plant
species
270
animal
species.
Results
show
slightly
nested
considerably
modular,
dominated
small‐
medium‐sized
generalist
species,
such
as
passerines,
marsupials,
mesocarnivores.
Nonetheless,
like
lowland
tapir
have
key
role
due
great
foraging
integration
capacity.
assemblage
moderately
defaunated,
with
possible
effects
large‐fruited
plants.
Cerrado's
functional
loss
large
vertebrates
deserve
urgent
attention
further
understand
mechanisms
ecosystem
functioning.
Biotropica,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
57(2)
Published: Jan. 31, 2025
ABSTRACT
The
Amazon
is
the
world's
largest
tropical
forest,
has
a
great
diversity
of
species,
and
provides
essential
ecosystem
services.
However,
anthropic
exploratory
processes
have
intensified
are
seriously
influencing
this
biome.
Approaches
that
based
on
ecological
network
theory
an
excellent
tool
for
describing
structure
communities,
interactions
between
stability
ecosystems.
Using
specific
set
metrics;
first
epiphyte–phorophyte
commensal
fragile
white‐sand
ecosystems
central
was
created.
organization
were
analyzed
described;
we
also
tested
system
to
simulate
species
loss.
A
total
725
52
phorophyte
118
vascular
epiphytes
recorded
in
(WSE).
exhibited
nested
structure,
with
low
degree
specialization
(
H
2
′),
connectance,
modularity,
robustness.
When
elimination
highly
connected
phorophytes
simulated,
secondary
extinctions
high,
which
indicates
when
disturbances
occur.
generalist
Aldina
heterophylla
particularly
important,
interacting
89.0%
hosting
75.0%
epiphytes.
Our
results
indicate
richness
abundance
WSEs
concentrated
few
especially
large
trees.
As
such,
removing
from
can
disrupt
interactions,
change
network's
unbalance
entire
ecosystem.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: Feb. 15, 2023
Plant-pollinator
interactions
in
diverse
tropical
communities
are
often
predicted
by
a
combination
of
ecological
variables,
yet
the
interaction
drivers
between
flower-visiting
bats
and
plants
at
community
level
poorly
understood.
We
assembled
network
Neotropical
flowering
to
describe
its
macrostructure
test
role
neutral
niche
variables
predicting
microstructure.
found
moderately
generalized
with
internally
nested
modules
comprising
functionally
similar
plant
bat
species.
Modules
grouped
matching
degrees
specialization
but
had
considerable
overlap
species
morphologies
several
inter-module
interactions.
The
spatiotemporal
species,
closely
followed
morphology,
not
abundance,
were
best
predictors
microstructure,
functional
groups
also
interacting
more
frequently
certain
vegetation
types
(e.g.,
frugivores
within
forests)
seasons
long-snouted
nectarivores
dry
season).
Therefore,
appear
have
species-specific
spaces
delimited
only
their
ability
exploit
flower
preferred
foraging
habitats
timing
resource
availability.
prominent
dissimilarity
across
likely
reflects
heterogeneity
savannas,
further
research
biomes
beyond
Cerrado
is
needed
better
understand
complexity
this
system.
Biotropica,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: June 12, 2024
Abstract
While
the
reassembly
of
fruit‐frugivore
interactions
remains
at
forefront
tropical
forest
restoration,
seed
dispersal
networks
emerge
as
a
potential
approach
to
enhance
restoration
success.
This
review
explores
integration
in
with
aims
(1)
synthesizing
important
findings
literature,
(2)
detailing
biases
utilizing
network
theory,
and
(3)
addressing
current
knowledge
gaps
future
directions
for
field.
We
first
highlight
importance
combining
phytocentric
zoocentric
approaches
when
sampling
interactions,
different
methodologies
have
varying
effects
on
measures,
can
foster
more
comprehensive
understanding
interactions.
Furthermore,
integrating
into
goals,
we
suggest
highly
connected
species‐rich
is
desirable
earlier
stages
succession
where
community
turnover
transient
are
pivotal.
Nested
patterns
may
throughout
succession,
identifying
generalist
species
that
make
up
nested
be
useful
practitioners
both
early
later
regeneration.
Modularity
should
highest
maintain
structure
stability,
connector
play
roles
facilitating
across
temporal
scales.
Finally,
emphasize
site‐specific
long‐term
datasets,
chronosequences,
studies
large
spatial
scales
continue
understand
function
develop
effective
strategies
recovery
ecosystems.
The
diversity
of
fruits
and
frugivorous
species
is
especially
high
in
tropical
regions
where
frugivory
seed
dispersal
interactions
are
particularly
critical
for
the
structure
functioning
terrestrial
communities.
However,
increasing
urbanization
areas
has
caused
profound
landscape
changes,
affecting
associated
ecosystems
functions.
Here,
we
present
an
overview
studies
on
urban
areas,
discussing
emergent
patterns
processes
underlying
plant-frugivore
as
well
major
research
gaps.
Our
review
highlights
uneven
geographical
distribution
studies,
which
more
frequent
Neotropics
comparison
to
Indomalayan
Afrotropical
regions.
We
found
that
areas:
(i)
most
frequently
studied
group
flying
frugivores
(birds
bats),
(ii)
Myrtaceae,
Moraceae,
Arecaceae
reported
consumed
by
frugivores,
(iii)
introduced
plants
often
frugivores’
diets,
become
common
with
urbanization,
(iv)
niche
breadths
vary
seasonality
fruit
availability,
(v)
a
higher
(or
near)
habitats
preserve
natural
characteristics,
such
proportion
green
areas.
Since
suitable
within
cities
highly
variable
size,
shape,
connectivity,
human
activity,
vegetation
management
socioeconomic
contexts,
recommend
future
sample
gradients
variables.
Furthermore,
new
planned
advance,
‘before-after
impact’
may
be
insightful
understand
how
respond
create
frugivore-friendly
without
promoting
undesirable
(invasive)
plants.
Although
scarcity
their
bias
limit
generalizations
across
distinct
regions,
based
our
provide
preliminary
list
broad
recommendations
practices
towards
creating
biodiversity-friendly
Ibis,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
164(4), P. 1132 - 1144
Published: May 17, 2022
Frugivorous
birds
assume
different
roles
in
the
organization
of
seed
dispersal
networks
depending
on
how
they
interact
with
plants.
Identifying
most
important
structural
can
shed
light
systems
function.
Here,
we
characterized
network
a
megadiverse
Neotropical
bird
community
from
Brazil
and
quantitatively
scored
according
to
their
importance
network.
We
tested
applicability
recent
core–periphery
framework
based
stochastic
block
models
contrasted
it
other
metrics
commonly
used
ecological
define
structurally
species.
Then,
also
evaluated
main
attributes
(body
mass,
degree
frugivory
abundance)
associated
role
frugivorous
In
field
recorded
1132
mutualistic
interactions
between
44
species
41
plant
identified
Silver‐beaked
Tanager
Ramphocelus
carbo
,
Band‐tailed
Manakin
Pipra
fasciicauda
Red‐legged
Honeycreeper
Cyanerpes
cyaneus
as
seed‐dispersers.
Our
study
highlighted
utility
method
identifying
relevant
context
networks,
which
gave
slightly
results
approaches.
Specifically,
assessment
more
relevant,
including
large
frugivore
Bare‐faced
Curassow
Crax
fasciolata
.
Finally,
discovered
that
abundance
was
predictor
species'
role.
conclude
abundant
generalist
are
key
components
maintenance
ecosystem
function
studied
ecosystem.
Oikos,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
2023(2)
Published: Sept. 27, 2022
Efficient
and
unbiased
sampling
of
ecological
interactions
is
essential
to
our
understanding
the
functions
they
mediate.
Seed
dispersal
by
frugivorous
birds
a
key
mutualism
for
plant
regeneration
community
dynamics.
Mist‐netting
one
most
widely
used
methods
sample
avian
seed
through
identification
seeds
in
droppings
captured
kept
inside
cloth
bags.
However,
may
drop
on
ground
before
being
extracted
from
net,
leading
fraction
missing
information
due
ineffective
sampling.
Worryingly,
this
could
be
unevenly
distributed
across
bird
species,
biases.
Here,
we
assess
effectiveness
using
1‐m
wide
mesh
below
mist
nets
dropped
entangled
birds.
We
data
mist‐netted
during
one‐year‐round.
sampled
nearly
50%
interaction
events
75%
dispersed
band
(i.e.
lost
without
optimization).
The
proportion
bands
was
not
evenly
among
species
but
strongly
related
size,
ranging
57–63%
warblers
84–94%
thrushes.
Moreover,
negatively
although
relationship
weaker.
also
evaluated
accumulation
curves
pairwise
with
increasing
effort,
both
bands.
number
increased
21%
when
36%.
Our
findings
provide
strong
evidence
how
inefficient
biased
traditional
mist‐netting
can
community‐wide
seed–dispersal
interactions.
thus
urge
use
future
studies
increase
avoid
biases,
which
will
ultimately
improve
function.