Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest

Casorso, Julia G.; DePasquale, Allegra N.; Romero Morales, Suheidy; Cheves Hernandez, Saúl; Lopez Navarro, Ronald; Hockings, Kimberley J.; Carrigan, Matthew A.; Melin, Amanda D.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2023.0804

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 109 publications

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“…For instance, avian seed dispersers are predicted to select brightly colored (red, blue and black) and small fleshy fruits because birds have acute color vision and commonly swallow fruits whole. Mammalian seed dispersers should select dull-colored (brown and dark green), scented and larger fruits, on average, compared to the bird syndrome, as mammals do not rely heavily on visual cues to find fruits and can eat fruits piecemeal 10 , 11 , 13 – 15 . Nonetheless, it is important to correctly differentiate between the set of traits that favor a particular dispersal mechanism (i.e., seed dispersal syndrome) and the vectors that move the seeds in a particular location and time (i.e., actual seed dispersal).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes

Fedriani,

Garrote,

Burgos

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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The Seed Dispersal Syndrome Hypothesis (SDSH) posits that fruit traits predict the main dispersers interacting with plant species. Mammalian dispersers, relying heavily on olfactory cues, are expected to select dull-colored, scented, and larger fruits compared to birds. However, challenges like overabundant seed predators and context-dependency of frugivore-plant interactions complicate SDSH expectations. We studied the Iberian pear, Pyrus bourgaeana, an expected mammal-dispersed tree based on its fruit traits. Extensive camera-trapping data (over 35,000 records) from several tree populations and years revealed visits from seven frugivore groups, with ungulate fruit predators (59–97%) and carnivore seed dispersers (1–20%) most frequent, while birds, lagomorphs, and rodents were infrequent (0–10%). Red deer and wild boar were also the main fruit removers in all sites and years but acted as fruit and seed predators, and thus likely exert conflicting selection pressures to those exerted by seed dispersers. Although, as predicted by the SDSH, most Iberian pear fruits were consumed by large and medium-sized mammals, the traits of Iberian pear fruits likely reflect selection pressures from dispersal vectors in past times. Our results do not challenge the SDHS but do reveal the importance of considering frugivore functional roles for its adequate evaluation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes

Fedriani,

Garrote,

Burgos

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest

Casorso,

DePasquale,

Romero Morales

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Studying fruit traits and their interactions with seed dispersers can improve how we interpret patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem function and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that fruit ethanol is common and variable, and may exert selective pressures on seed dispersers. To test this, we comprehensively assess fruit ethanol content in a wild ecosystem and explore sources of variation. We hypothesize that both phylogeny and seed dispersal syndrome explain variation in ethanol levels, and we predict that fruits with mammalian dispersal traits will contain higher levels of ethanol than those with bird dispersal traits. We measured ripe fruit ethanol content in species with mammal- ( n = 16), bird- ( n = 14) or mixed-dispersal ( n = 7) syndromes in a Costa Rican tropical dry forest. Seventy-eight per cent of fruit species yielded measurable ethanol concentrations. We detected a phylogenetic signal in maximum ethanol levels (Pagel's λ = 0.82). Controlling for phylogeny, we observed greater ethanol concentrations in mammal-dispersed fruits, indicating that dispersal syndrome helps explain variation in ethanol content, and that mammals may be more exposed to ethanol in their diets than birds. Our findings further our understanding of wild fruit ethanol and its potential role as a selective pressure on frugivore sensory systems and metabolism.

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Honey bees are resilient to the long-term presence of alcohol in their diet

Ostap-Chec,

Bajorek,

Antoł

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Previous studies on various organisms have suggested that low doses of ethanol can have stimulatory effects, while higher doses may lead to toxicity, a response known as hormesis. Low ethanol concentrations occur naturally in the environment, particularly in fermenting fruits and flower nectar, where pollinators such as honey bees may encounter it. This study aimed to investigate the potential hormetic effects of low-level ethanol consumption on honey bees. Bees were divided into three groups: one provided with only sucrose solution, one both with sucrose and 0.5% ethanol in sucrose, and one with only 1% ethanol in sucrose. The bees were exposed to these diets for 14 days, and their performance was assessed through survivorship, flight endurance, body mass, lipid content, and trehalose and ethanol levels in the haemolymph. The results showed no significant differences in most parameters between the groups. However, bees constantly exposed to 1% ethanol had slightly higher trehalose levels compared to the control group, suggesting a possible adaptive response to ethanol exposure. Ethanol levels in the haemolymph differed significantly between groups, with bees exposed to ethanol showing its detectable levels in their system. While no clear hormetic effects were observed in terms of improved performance, the elevated trehalose levels in bees constantly exposed to 1% ethanol may indicate adaptations protecting from ethanol-induced damage. The study provides insights into how honey bees tolerate low-level ethanol exposure and highlights the need for further research on the ecological implications of ethanol consumption in pollinators.

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Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest

Cited by 4 publications

References 109 publications

The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes

The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes

Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest

Honey bees are resilient to the long-term presence of alcohol in their diet

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