Parthenocarpy, attractiveness and seed predation by birds in Bursera morelensis

Ramos-Ordoñez, Marîa Félix; Arizmendi, M.C.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.04.013

Cited by 17 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…For example, Shaw [45] reported that pigeons were not attracted to oak trees in light acorn crops. Other studies found that overall number of seeds consumed by predators (from the total fruit crop) was lower when there were a higher proportion of empty seeds [12], [18]. Here, we suggest that this effect of empty seeds reducing seed predation depends on crop size.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…5). This would contrast with multiple studies that report either no correlation [13], [18], [35], [36] or a negative relationship between seed crop size and seed predation [14], [26], [37]–[39]. However, few studies have shown a positive relationship between proportion of seed predation and seed availability [40], [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Hence, the handling cost required by a seed predator to find a valuable seed increases as the proportion of full seeds decreases [12], [13]. Multiple studies have documented that production of empty-seeded fruits can reduce pre-dispersal seed predation by insects [14]–[17] or even by vertebrates [12], [13], [18]. However, reductions in seed predation are usually calculated as a proportion of the total seed crop (including both empty and full seeds) and not as a proportion of the full seeds that escape predation [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach does not completely assess the real effect of masting and seed emptiness on the reproductive success. Although very few investigations have addressed the correlation between crop size (or masting) and the proportion of empty seeds [13], [18], most of them have neglected to explore the simultaneous action of seed masting and the proportion of empty seeds on the rate of full seed consumption by animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Empty Seeds Are Not Always Bad: Simultaneous Effect of Seed Emptiness and Masting on Animal Seed Predation

2013

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Seed masting and production of empty seeds have often been considered independently as different strategies to reduce seed predation by animals. Here, we integrate both phenomena within the whole assemblage of seed predators (both pre and post-dispersal) and in two contrasting microsites (open vs. sheltered) to improve our understanding of the factors controlling seed predation in a wind-dispersed tree (Ulmus laevis). In years with larger crop sizes more avian seed predators were attracted with an increase in the proportion of full seeds predated on the ground. However, for abundant crops, the presence of empty seeds decreased the proportion of full seeds predated. Empty seeds remained for a very long period in the tree, making location of full seeds more difficult for pre-dispersal predators and expanding the overall seed drop period at a very low cost (in dry biomass and allocation of C, N and P). Parthenocarpy (non-fertilized seeds) was the main cause of seed emptiness whereas seed abortion was produced in low quantity. These aborted seeds fell prematurely and, thus, could not work as deceptive seeds. A proportion of 50% empty seeds significantly reduced ground seed predation by 26%. However, a high rate of parthenocarpy (beyond 50% empty seeds) did not significantly reduce seed predation in comparison to 50% empty seeds. We also found a high variability and unpredictability in the production of empty seeds, both at tree and population level, making predator deception more effective. Open areas were especially important to facilitate seed survival since rodents (the main post-dispersal predators) consumed seeds mostly under shrub cover. In elm trees parthenocarpy is a common event that might work as an adaptive strategy to reduce seed predation. Masting per se did not apparently reduce the overall proportion of seeds predated in this wind-dispersed tree, but kept great numbers of seeds unconsumed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Empty Seeds Are Not Always Bad: Simultaneous Effect of Seed Emptiness and Masting on Animal Seed Predation

2013

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“…For instance, Bursera trees, a dominant component of mature dry forests of western Mexico (Rzedowski et al 2005), produce fruit during the dry season. There is ample evidence that frugivores, such as flycatchers and vireos, include Bursera drupes as an important part of their diet (Ramos-Ordoñez & Arizmendi 2011). These birds also consume arthropods and fruit from other plants, but in the dry season some species seem to prefer this resource to the sugary fruit produced by other plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of the community of frugivorous birds along a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest in south-western Mexico

et al. 2014

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Abstract:Few reports have described the relationship between the distribution of frugivorous birds and vegetation successional changes in dry forests. We assessed the abundance and behaviour of frugivorous birds in early, intermediate and mature dry forests in the Balsas river basin, Guerrero, Mexico. We selected nine dry-forest fragments, three fragments per stage, in these three stages of succession. We analysed the vegetation, estimated bird abundances in 10-min count periods, and recorded the way birds process fruits in circular plots (11–15 plots per fragment, 123 plots in total). Birds were classified as seed predators (15% of all individuals in this study), pulp consumers (15%) or legitimate dispersers (70%). Bird abundance was higher in mature forests in the dry season, while abundance and richness of legitimate dispersers and seed predators were positively related to vegetation complexity. Mature forests have a high vegetation complexity and a high cover of Bursera species that produce fruit during the dry season. During the rains, abundance was higher in early-successional sites when the zoochorous plants produced fruit. Legitimate disperser migrants (i.e. Tyrannus vociferans, Myiarchus cinerascens and M. tyrannulus) were widespread, helping the establishment of zoochorous trees such as Bursera spp. in early-successional forests.

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