Effect of ingestion by two frugivorous bat species on the seed germination of <i>Ficus racemosa</i> and <i>F. hispida</i> (Moraceae)

Tang, Zhanhui; Mukherjee, Aeshita; Sheng, Lianxi; Cao, Min; Liu, Bing; Corlett, Richard T.; Zhang, Shuyi

doi:10.1017/s0266467406003737

Cited by 26 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Our observations concur with those found in studies on Xying foxes and Wgs that were conducted in Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean region, where no diVerences in germination parameters were found between ingested and manually depulped Wg seeds (Hodgkison et al 2003;Izhaki et al 1995;Tang et al 2007;Traveset 1998). One reason for this could be the short gut passage time of less than 30 min reported for frugivorous phyllostomid bats as well as Xying foxes (Laska 1990;Morrison 1978a; but see Shilton et al 1999), as this might not be long enough to aVect the seed coat in a way that alters germination potential and patterns.…”

Section: Evects Of Gut Passage On Germination Parameterssupporting

confidence: 92%

Effects of ingestion by neotropical bats on germination parameters of native free-standing and strangler figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae)

2010

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Fruit-eating animals can influence the germination success of seeds through transportation and handling. We experimentally tested the contribution of ingestion by the common fruit-eating bat, Artibeus jamaicensis (Phyllostomidae, Chiroptera), to the percentage and rate of seed germination of figs (Ficus, Moraceae), which are considered keystone species for many frugivores. We collected fruits from three species of native free-standing figs (subgenus Pharmacosycea: F. insipida, F. maxima and F. yoponensis) and three species of native strangler figs (subgenus Urostigma: F. nymphiifolia, F. obtusifolia and F. popenoei) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The germination success of seeds removed from fruit pulp either manually or by ingestion was very high (>92%), while seeds that were not removed from fruit pulp were destroyed by fast-growing fungi within a few days. The dynamics of seed germination were not influenced by ingestion, but differed between the two subgenera of figs. In free-standing figs, germination started significantly earlier (5.3 +/- 0.7 days) than in strangler figs (8.6 +/- 1.4 days). Furthermore, strangler seeds were covered with a sticky coating and their seedlings developed cotyledons faster than fine roots, in contrast to free-standing figs that showed the opposite pattern. Our results demonstrate that the germination of fig seeds is positively influenced by passage through the gut of A. jamaicensis. Furthermore, free-standing and strangler figs revealed differences in germination parameters that might be adaptive with respect to the suitability of microsites such as tree fall gaps or host trees for establishment.

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Section: Evects Of Gut Passage On Germination Parameterssupporting

confidence: 92%

Effects of ingestion by neotropical bats on germination parameters of native free-standing and strangler figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae)

2010

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“…While spat seeds had slightly less germination than fecal seeds, this difference was not significant and both had high germination rates. Similar germination rates of fecal, spat, and de-pulped seeds have been previously reported (Tang et al 2007), however in some cases ingestion by fruit bats has been shown to increase germination success (Izhaki et al 1995). The rapid and profuse germination of invasive alien plants has been previously reported (van Kleunen and Johnson 2007;Jordaan et al 2011) and it has been suggested that such species may rely on continuous and regular dispersal events, rather than seed banks (Panetta 2001).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…Mouthfuls of seeds, exocarp and pulp fibre are then spat out (termed spats). Small seeds may be swallowed during this process (Shilton et al 1999;Tang et al 2007). Fruit which are too large to be carried away will often be eaten in the parent tree (Fenton et al 1985;Corlett 2005), however large mouthfuls may still be taken and processed at a feeding roost.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Smaller seeds are ingested (Shilton et al 1999;Tang et al 2007;Tsoar et al 2011) and dispersed further (Corlett 2005). Many fruit bats rarely ingest large seeds (Whittaker and Jones 1994;Monadjem et al 2010) and thus germination success cannot be enhanced by the chemical effects of the digestive tract which abrade the seed coat (Evenari 1949;Agami and Waisel 1988;Barnea et al 1990Barnea et al , 1991.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) as a potential dispersal agent for fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants: effects of handling behaviour on seed germination

2011

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The spread of invasive alien plants into natural habitats is of growing global concern. Several studies have investigated the role that avian frugivores play in the dispersal of these seeds and their effects on germination success. Fruit bats have however received little attention as important dispersal agents of invasive alien plants, despite their recognized role as long distance dispersal agents of various native flora. We investigated whether Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bats, Epomophorus wahlbergi, would positively influence the germination of seeds of invasive alien plants. These fruit bats were fed fruits of four invasive alien plant species-Psidium guajava, Melia azedarach, Eriobotrya japonica, and Morus alba. Epomophorus wahlbergi were able to process more fruit per gram body mass than birds have been observed to do. Spat and de-pulped control seeds had similar germination success and germinated at approximately the same time for most species. While seeds retained in whole fruit had significantly less germination success than spat seeds for all species, except M. azedarach, they mostly germinated at approximately the same time.Epomophorus wahlbergi can swallow small seeds (\ 2 mm), while seeds larger than this are generally spat out. Large fruit are usually carried away to feeding roosts where seeds are dropped, thereby dispersing seeds and fruits which are too large for some bird species to ingest. Epomophorus wahlbergi should not be underestimated as dispersers of these invasive alien plants as they consume proportionally large amounts (0.62 ± 0.09 to 0.99 ± 0.11 g.g -1 body mass) of fruit, except for M. azedarach, and positively affect their seed germination rates.

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“…5b). Bats are indeed effective seed dispersers of F. hispida in south Asia (Tang et al . 2007), and the continuously available steady‐state fruiting of F. hispida , in which only few ripened fruit are available at any one time, attracts solitary bat species (Corlett 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The chemical ecology of seed dispersal in monoecious and dioecious figs

2008

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Summary 1.In the nursery pollination system of figs ( Ficus , Moraceae), flower-bearing receptacles called syconia breed pollinating wasps and are units of both pollination and seed dispersal. Pollinators and mammalian seed dispersers are attracted to syconia by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In monoecious figs, syconia produce both wasps and seeds, while in (gyno)dioecious figs, male (gall) fig trees produce wasps and female (seed) fig trees produce seeds. 2. VOCs were collected using dynamic headspace adsorption methods on freshly collected figs from different trees using Super Q® collection traps. VOC profiles were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 3. The VOC profile of receptive and dispersal phase figs were clearly different only in the dioecious mammal-dispersed Ficus hispida but not in dioecious bird-dispersed F. exasperata and monoecious bird-dispersed F. tsjahela . 4. The VOC profile of dispersal phase female figs was clearly different from that of male figs only in F. hispida but not in F. exasperata , as predicted from the phenology of syconium production which only in F. hispida overlaps between male and female trees. Greater difference in VOC profile in F. hispida might ensure preferential removal of seed figs by dispersal agents when gall figs are simultaneously available. 5. The VOC profile of only mammal-dispersed female figs of F. hispida had high levels of fatty acid derivatives such as amyl-acetates and 2-heptanone, while monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and shikimic acid derivatives were predominant in the other syconial types. A bird-and mammal-repellent compound methyl anthranilate occurred only in gall figs of both dioecious species, as expected, since gall figs containing wasp pollinators should not be consumed by dispersal agents.

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Effect of ingestion by two frugivorous bat species on the seed germination of Ficus racemosa and F. hispida (Moraceae)

Cited by 26 publications

References 20 publications

Effects of ingestion by neotropical bats on germination parameters of native free-standing and strangler figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae)

Effects of ingestion by neotropical bats on germination parameters of native free-standing and strangler figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae)

Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) as a potential dispersal agent for fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants: effects of handling behaviour on seed germination

The chemical ecology of seed dispersal in monoecious and dioecious figs

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