Aim: Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities and the ecosystem services they provide.However, particularly in human-dominated island ecosystems, introduced species may alter mutualistic interactions. Based on an extensive dataset of plant-frugivore interactions, we mapped and analysed a meta-network across the Caribbean archipelago. Specifically, we searched for subcommunity structure (modularity) and identified the types of species facilitating the integration of introduced species in the Caribbean meta-network.

Seed dispersal mutualisms evolve in complex communities of plants and frugivorous animals, within which indirect interactions such as competition and facilitation can occur. Many tropical plants reproduce subannually in multiple episodes per year. Yet, the consequences of episodic reproduction on interactions with seed dispersers remain largely unexplored. We studied Guarea guidonia (Meliaceae), a subannually reproducing tree, to examine temporal variation in seed dispersal within a tropical forested landscape in the central Dominican Republic. We hypothesized that foraging by dispersers would (a) increase with daily ripe fruit set on focal trees, (b) decrease with increasing ripe fruit biomass of neighboring plants, and (c) decrease in response to the fruiting periods of other taxa at the landscape scale. Over 18 months, we tracked the phenology of 24 focal trees and quantified foraging during fruiting phases through repeated observations, simultaneously measuring seed dispersal in traps beneath isolated bird perches across the study landscape. Date was the only clear predictor of frugivore visitation, with early and late peaks in activity during the 5‐month fruiting period. The midseason decline in foraging at focal trees matched a decline in Guarea dispersal to seed traps independently of fruit abundance. Declines in Guarea dispersal were inversely related to peak dispersal of higher quality lipid‐rich fruiting species. Our results suggest that multiple flowering episodes and subsequent asynchronous fruit ripening of low‐quality fruits can reduce competitive pressure from other higher quality fruiting species, implying that this potential bet‐hedging strategy may be an overlooked factor in the evolution of subannual reproduction. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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Hippoboscids or louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate hematophages highly specialized for an ectoparasitic life in the feathers or fur of avian or mammalian hosts, respectively. As part of an existing avian monitoring program in the Dominican Republic, two cases of parasitism by louse flies in a Black-faced Grassquit (Melanospiza bicolor) and a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) were reported. In the laboratory, the flies were examined and identified as the species Ornithoctona erythrocephala. This is the first time this hippoboscid has been observed parasitizing these two bird species, and indeed the first record of it parasitizing a species of the family Thraupidae.   Keywords  Caribbean, Dominican Republic, ectoparasite, Hippoboscidae, Hispaniola, Ornithoctona erythrocephala   Resumen  Nuevos registros de especies hospederas de una mosca parásita (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) en bosques montanos de La Española • Los hipobóscidos o moscas piojo (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) son hematófagos obligados altamente especializados para una vida ectoparásita en las plumas de las aves o el pelaje de los mamíferos hospederos. Como parte de un programa de monitoreo de aves que existe en la República Dominicana, se reportaron dos casos de parasitismo por moscas piojos en Melanospiza bicolor y Butorides virescens. En el laboratorio, las moscas fueron examinadas e identificadas como la especie Ornithoctona erythrocephala. Esta es la primera vez que se observa que este hipobóscido parasita a estas dos especies de aves y, de hecho, el primer registro de que parasita una especie de la familia Thraupidae.  Palabras clave  Caribe, ectoparásito, Hippoboscidae, La Española, Ornithoctona erythrocephala, República Dominicana  Résumé  Nouvelles mentions d’espèces hôtes d’une mouche parasite (Diptera : Hippoboscidae) dans les forêts de montagne d’Hispaniola • Les hippobosques ou mouches plates (Diptera : Hippoboscidae) sont des espèces hématophages obligatoires hautement spécialisées pour une vie ectoparasitaire dans les plumes des oiseaux ou la fourrure des mammifères. Dans le cadre d’un programme de suivi de l’avifaune en République dominicaine, deux cas de parasitisme par des hippobosques ont été signalés sur un Sporophile cici (Melanospiza bicolor) et un Héron vert (Butorides virescens). En laboratoire, les mouches ont été examinées et identifiées comme appartenant à l’espèce Ornithoctona erythrocephala. C’est la première fois que cet hippobosque est observé comme parasite de ces deux espèces d’oiseaux et comme parasite d’une espèce de la famille des Thraupidae.  Mots clés  Caraïbes, ectoparasite, Hippoboscidae, Hispaniola, Ornithoctona erythrocephala, République dominicaine