Ficus-frugivore interactions, especially in areas of land-use change, in Africa: A systematic review

Raji, Islamiat Abidemi; Downs, Colleen T.

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2021.103774

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bats have been documented to feed on Ficus spp. in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa (Rollinson et al, 2013; Raji & Downs, 2021). Seed dispersal by fruit bats is very important to the ecosystem and helps with plant communities' maintenance and forest regeneration (Bortolamiol et al, 2014; van Toor et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epauletted fruit bats prefer native plants and contribute to seed dispersal in a South African agricultural landscape

et al. 2023

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Fruit bats provide vital ecosystem services through seed dispersal aiding secondary forest regeneration. However, fruit bat species are often persecuted by fruit-growing farmers due to perceived and actual crop damage. In this study, we investigated the dietary components of Epomophorous wahlbergi, Epomophorous crypturus and Rousettus aegyptiacus, which are the three fruit bat species commonly found in litchi orchards and surrounding natural habitats in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. We further explored the contribution of fruit bats to seed dispersal and germination success. Fruit bat diet was dominated by wild fruit species (95%), while commercial fruit contributed little (2%) to their diet, even during the litchi harvest season. Fig seeds (Ficus spp.) collected from captured bats as spit outs had significantly lower germination rates than regular seeds, but a significantly lower germination latency. A similar pattern was observed for quinine trees (Rauvolfia caffra). Our results suggest that fruit bats inhabiting orchards and surrounding natural vegetation feed primarily on wild fruit trees, probably modulated by the high percentage of natural vegetation still found in our study area, supporting the importance of natural habitats in mitigating crop damage. We encourage further work on potential disservices by fruit bats and their habitat use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epauletted fruit bats prefer native plants and contribute to seed dispersal in a South African agricultural landscape

et al. 2023

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“…Its large and broad canopy with wide leaves is a shelter for insects and mammals. In addition, many birds also take advantage of the branches and leaves of the Ficus as an ideal place to perch and lay their eggs (Raji & Downs, 2021). Specifically, in the gunungan wayang kulit purwa, animals interacting directly with Ficus trees are hornbills, monkeys, and squirrels.…”

Section: Human Habitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Its abundant fruit sources provide benefits for animals around it. Hence, 92 species of birds, 12 mammals, and 8 types of insects eat Ficus fruit (Raji & Downs, 2021). The relationship between insects and Ficus trees is called mutualistic symbiosis.…”

Section: Human Habitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation Value of Gunungan Wayang Kulit Purwa for Science Learning Materials

Fahrudin,

Saputro,

Sarwanto

et al. 2023

JPII

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This study aims to explore the concepts of ecology and biodiversity, the value of environmental preservation in gunungan wayang kulit purwa, and its correlation to science learning or environmental education in a science subject at the junior high school level to increase environmental awareness. This research employed a qualitative descriptive approach. This research included ethnographic research associated with symbolic interpretation in anthropology. The informants of this study were a puppeteer (dalang), a javanology expert, a gunungan wayang kulit purwa creator, and a biodiversity expert chosen by purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, literature reviews, and content analysis. Data triangulation was applied to ensure the data validity. The data were analyzed using a spiral analysis model, including managing, reading, marking, describing, classifying, interpreting, and visualizing data continuously. The study results show that the gunungan wayang kulit purwa contains the conservation value and concept of ecology and biodiversity. This concept has a correlation with the material on ecology and biodiversity in the independent curriculum in a science subject at schools. The ecological concept includes biotic and abiotic components, symbiosis, pollinators and predators, food chains, food webs, competition, and the value of environmental preservation. The findings in the form of a link between ecological concepts and biodiversity in the gunungan wayang kulit purwa have implications for the potential use of gunungan wayang kulit purwa as a learning resource for science education in schools or environmental education to increase environmental awareness of the young generation.

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“…Ficus (Moraceae), commonly called figs, constitute one of the largest genera of angiosperms (Chaudhary et al, 2012; Mohapatra et al, 2020). Africa has ~124 species of Ficus (Burrows & Burrows, 2003; Raji & Downs, 2021). Ficus spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fruiting phenology and diversity of native Ficus species in an urban‐forest mosaic landscape in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

Raji

Downs

2022

Afr J Ecol

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Ficus-frugivore interactions, especially in areas of land-use change, in Africa: A systematic review

Cited by 7 publications

References 77 publications

Epauletted fruit bats prefer native plants and contribute to seed dispersal in a South African agricultural landscape

Epauletted fruit bats prefer native plants and contribute to seed dispersal in a South African agricultural landscape

Conservation Value of Gunungan Wayang Kulit Purwa for Science Learning Materials

Fruiting phenology and diversity of native Ficus species in an urban‐forest mosaic landscape in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

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