Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory DOI Creative Commons
Raúl Sánchez-García, Andy J. Green,

Lina Tomasson

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 2219 - 2219

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment (i.e., both scarification acidification) increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

Float, fly, then sink: wetland plant seed buoyancy is lost after internal dispersal by waterbirds DOI Creative Commons
María J. Navarro‐Ramos, Andy J. Green, Robin de Vries

et al.

Hydrobiologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 851(16), P. 4033 - 4048

Published: June 12, 2024

Abstract Seed dispersal distance is an important indicator of how well a plant species can cope with environmental changes. Seeds wetland plants are primarily dispersed by hydrochory (floating on the water surface) or endozoochory (ingestion and egestion animals). However, both mechanisms also be combined (diplochory), which increases distances. In wetlands, seeds often float surface before ingestion transport animals, such as waterbirds. Here, we consider what happens next after test whether inside waterbirds then continue to disperse hydrochory. We experimentally assessed buoyancy capacity 41 for 14 weeks simulated passage through avian digestive systems. This revealed that (1) previously assigned syndrome floated longer than those from other syndromes, but considerable overlap; (2) fully aquatic shoreline had stronger terrestrial plants; (3) processes negatively affected seed all species, included typical syndrome. The more limited beforehand, strong implications effectiveness dispersal.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Big rodents disperse small seeds and spores in Neotropical wetlands DOI
Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Hoffmann, Andressa Adolfo, Andy J. Green

et al.

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(8), P. 1743 - 1757

Published: June 12, 2024

Abstract The role of large frugivores in the dispersal tropical trees has been well‐studied, whereas importance world's largest rodents for plant previously ignored. We studied by gut passage (endozoochory) Neotropical wetlands extant rodent, capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris . compared it with another 10 rodents, nutria or coypu Myocastor coypus collected 96 faecal samples (50 capybara, 46 nutria) from sites within Taim Ramsar site southern Brazil, and extracted intact propagules g subsamples. Propagules 27 taxa (24 angiosperms, three aquatic ferns) were recovered, representing 13 families. Whole Spirodela (duckweed) plants dispersed. Seeds 14 angiosperm germinated laboratory. Taxonomic composition was significantly different two mammals, but propagule size not. Capybara dispersed more terrestrial per sample, nutrias propagules. When total production taken into account, an estimated 1025 (including 133 fern spores) each day, 691 566 spores). Capybaras have larger home ranges likely over a greater distance. Synthesis : This is first demonstration that disperse pteridophytes as well flowering plants. Our results suggest capybaras play important, complementary roles dispersing variety species wetlands. study indicates herbivorous mammals vectors small seeds non‐fleshy fruits overlooked neotropics defaunation herbivores can negative consequences, manner similar to highlighted frugivores.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Secondary Dispersal of Wetland Plants by Neotropical Otters DOI
Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Hoffmann, Andressa Adolfo, Andy J. Green

et al.

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Carnivorous mammals can disperse seeds and other plant propagules through gut passage (endozoochory). Otters are semiaquatic mustelids opportunistic carnivores that prey on various vertebrates, their feeding habits lead to secondary dispersal of propagules. However, this by otters has not previously been investigated. Here, we investigated the internal plants neotropical otters, Lontra longicaudis , in southern Brazil. We collected 31 faecal samples (spraints) from at a Brazilian Ramsar site Pampa biome during wet season 2022. Intact were separated each spraint, identified, germinability tested where possible. The classes vertebrate preyed upon spraint identified. effects these mass taxonomic richness abundance associated with aquatic and/or terrestrial substrates. recorded 1206 belonging 33 taxa (one charophyte, four pteridophytes, 28 angiosperms), representing 18 families including 20 strictly macrophytes. Seeds six angiosperm germinated, low overall germination rate 2%. All spraints contained fish, while 10 also remains reptiles, amphibians, mammals. was positively correlated weight. Propagule depended both weight diversity spraint. Spraints three or larger had most Most likely dispersed “diploendozoochory” involving ingestion first then otters. Neotropical have wide home range, often travelling several kilometres daily, which promote carrying between different habitats. Synthesis: Our results suggest might play an important role wetland plants, notably ferns, potentially contributing maintenance ecosystems. rate, although low, represents opportunities for successful establishment some over longer distances than those provided otter prey, emphasising ecological importance even low‐probability events. This study underlines potential carnivorous maintaining ecosystem connectivity.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Waterfowl Endozoochory: Traits Drive Plant–Bird Dispersal Interactions in North America DOI
Bia de Arruda Almeida, Giliandro G. Silva, Mihai Costea

et al.

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Plant biogeography and ongoing changes in plant distributions are influenced by long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of seeds, migratory waterfowl (Anatidae: Ducks, geese swans) particularly important for the plants around wetlands through gut passage (endozoochory). However, this is not contemplated classical syndromes; hence, currently we have limited understanding what angiosperm traits predict seed any differences due to avian trait variation among species. We conducted a literature search data on presence seeds alimentary canal or faeces North American as proxy interactions, since an fraction these survives passage. present list flowering species ( N = 536) from 95 families potentially dispersed 38 species, together with their vectors. Owing largely sampling effort, 47% 35% genera recorded were only found single A suite analytical approaches revealed major whose ingested likely between foraging groups (guilds) relation other traits. Diving ducks sea associated sublittoral that submerged floating leaves, hence hydrochory syndrome. Dabbling herbivorous (notably geese) terrestrial herbaceous plants, also unspecialised syndrome common plants. Plants larger greater height more be dabbling ducks, whereas shorter than waterfowl. Network analyses interactions generally consistent results, but provided evidence all geese, duck alike along terrestrial–aquatic gradient, instead occupy distinct niches. The traditional classification into guilds therefore does accurately reflect differing roles ingestion seeds. Aquatic had vector ones. Detailed studies endozoochory determinations needed facilitate predictions LDD population sizes migration patterns vary future climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
High levels of seed dispersal by a declining wintering population of migratory geese DOI Creative Commons
Iciar Jiménez‐Martín, Adrián Monreal, Víctor Martín‐Vélez

et al.

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Abstract Ducks are known to be important seed dispersers, but the role of geese in plant dispersal is less clear. Wintering populations migratory undergoing rapid changes distribution and habitat use response climate change land use, implications for have not previously been studied. At southern end Eurasian goose flyways, numbers declining through short‐stopping. The Doñana wetlands, or ‘marismas del Guadalquivir’, south‐west Spain were formerly Europe's most wintering grounds greylag Anser anser. There, we collected 151 faecal samples compare by endozoochory early late winter natural marshes ricefields. We also tested germinability simulated potential distances assess importance this decreasing population dry‐fruited plants assumed rely on abiotic over short distances. retrieved 1196 intact seeds belonging 24 different taxa, including eight species reported from waterfowl (Anatidae) vectors. Seeds present 47% samples, with a peak 90% November, compared only 27% ricefields at same time, marsh site February. Seed abundance richness per sample significantly higher than winter, artificial wetlands. Major differences composition between sampling sites partly related moisture requirements individual species. Germinability aquatic was when gut passage followed cold storage 2 months prior germination tests. events our using GPS tracking three geese. This suggested that can dispersed up 25 km during daily movements, median 0.2–5 km, depending site. frequent syndrome assigned barochory (gravity), disperse much farther mechanisms predicted their syndromes. Geese likely an connectivity within beyond Mediterranean providing ecosystem service which threatened behaviour. Our results highlight studying interactions involving waterbirds current context loss shifts, as many crucial may disappearing even before they discovered.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory DOI Open Access
Raúl Sánchez-García, Andy J. Green,

Lina Tomasson

et al.

Published: May 17, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant x population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Non-classical an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Darwin’s Digestion Myth: Historical and Modern Perspectives on Our Understanding of Seed Dispersal by Waterbirds DOI Creative Commons
Andy J. Green, David M. Wilkinson

Seeds, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 505 - 527

Published: Sept. 24, 2024

Internal transport (endozoochory) and external (epizoochory) by migratory waterbirds are key mechanisms of long-distance dispersal for seeds other diaspores plants lacking a fleshy fruit. Beginning with Darwin in 1859, we review how opinions about the relative importance epizoochory endozoochory have changed repeatedly over time this allows us to reassess our modern understanding plant dispersal. was mistaken asserting that cannot survive passage through gut or granivorous birds. This “digestion myth” led him underestimate overstate epizoochory, an approach which is echoed throughout literature until present day. also focused on aquatic plants, yet it now clear major vectors terrestrial plants. Based their empirical observations experiments, less influential scientists (notably Hesselman 1897, Guppy 1906 Proctor 1960s) argued more important mechanism waterbirds. Modern field experimental studies demonstrate dominant role endozoochory. Unfortunately, avian dry-fruited continues be ignored as many ecologists, attribute Darwin’s continuing influence. However, has implications biogeography requires wider recognition research.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory DOI Creative Commons
Raúl Sánchez-García, Andy J. Green,

Lina Tomasson

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 2219 - 2219

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment (i.e., both scarification acidification) increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

Citations

0