The Potential for Seed Dispersal by the Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)

Gervais, Jennifer A.; Traveset, Anna; Willson, Mary F.

doi:10.1674/0003-0031(1998)140[0103:tpfsdb]2.0.co;2

Cited by 38 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The exception are the following forms that are absent from tree species or that do not present common traits that indicate a dispersal syndrome: (1) dispersal by slugs, which does not constitute a dispersal syndrome (Gervais et al 1998, Tuerke et al 2010; (2) dispersal by earthworms, which also does not constitute a dispersal syndrome (Milcu et al 2006); (3) dispersal by bees, described for only two tree species with fruits that produce resin or wax (Wallace & Trueman 1995, Wallace et al 2008; (4) dispersal by beetles, mainly described for dung beetles, which collect faeces containing seeds primarily dispersed by vertebrates (Vulinec 2002). However, beetles have also been found ingesting fruit pulp with seeds of one parasitic species in the Mediterranean region (de Vega et al 2011); (5) dispersal by weta, giant flightless crickets in New Zealand (Burns 2006, Duthie et al 2006; (6) ant-dispersed species that form ant gardens and only occur in epiphytes (Ule 1905 apud van der Pijl 1972, van der Pijl 1972); (7) ant-dispersed species with short stems that droop to the ground when the seeds are ripe, which can only occur in herbaceous plants (Handel & Beattie 1990); (8) dispersal by tree-frogs, found only in a single bromeliad species (Silva et al 1989); (9) woody or dry fruits with small hard seeds produced by herbaceous plants; (10) tumbleweeds, restricted to herbaceous plants, and (11) diaspores that submerge in water, which only occur in aquatic species (van der Pijl 1972).…”

Section: Supplementary Materials 1: Protocol For the Classification Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal spectrum of four forest types along an altitudinal range of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

2014

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In ecological communities, the proportion of plant species with different dispersal syndromes is known as the dispersal spectrum, which can result from different selective pressures such as climate. This is because variations in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and precipitation result in distinct flora and fauna among different sites. If climate conditions along an altitudinal range act as a strong direct or indirect selective pressure on dispersal syndromes, the dispersal spectrum among plant communities in different altitudes should be distinct. We organized the dispersal syndromes in five hierarchical levels according to the levels of detail in diaspore morphology and, consequently, different degrees of specificity to the dispersers. Then we identified, within each hierarchical level, the syndromes of tree species of four forest types of the Atlantic Rainforest along a 1200 m altitudinal range in Southeast Brazil. Among 327 species, we found two syndromes in the most general hierarchical level (abiotic and biotic dispersal), three in the following level (wind, self and animal), three in the intermediate level (barochory, autochory and endozoochory), two in the forth level (mammal and bird), and 12 syndromes in the most specific level, all of which were related to the morphology of diaspores dispersed by wind, autochory, mammals and birds. The dispersal spectrum in the five hierarchical levels was similar among the four forest types. Overall, the majority of species is dispersed by biotic agents, considered here as animals and the parent plant itself. Within biotic agents, the most important are animals, specifically birds. Most bird-dispersed species present drupoid diaspores. Our results indicate that the selective pressures on dispersal syndromes originated from climate conditions that vary with altitude are not strong, hence resulting in the same dispersal spectrum among the forest types. Keywords: animal dispersal, biotic dispersal, bird dispersal, hierarchy of classification of dispersal syndromes. Biota Neotropica. 14(1): e20130003. MARTINSBiota Neotropica. 14(1): e20130003.abió tica e bió tica), três no nível seguinte (vento, pró pria planta parental e animais), três no nível intermediá rio (barocoria, autocoria e endozoocoria), duas no quarto nível (mamíferos e aves) e 12 síndromes no nível mais específico, relacionadas à morfologia dos diá sporos dispersos pelo vento, autocoria, mamíferos e aves. O espectro de dispersã o nos cinco níveis foi similar nas quatro formações florestais. De forma geral, a maior parte das espécies é dispersa por agentes bió ticos, aqui considerados animais e a pró pria planta parental. Dentre os agentes bió ticos, os mais importantes sã o os animais, especificamente as aves. A maioria das espécies dispersas pelas aves apresenta diá sporos drupó ides. Nossos resultados indicam que as pressõ es seletivas sobre as síndromes de dispersã o ocasionadas pelas condiçõ es climá ticas que variam com a altitude não sã o fortes. Assim, a ausência destas pressõ es ...

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Section: Supplementary Materials 1: Protocol For the Classification Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal spectrum of four forest types along an altitudinal range of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

2014

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“…Whatever the cause, like other slugs capable of affecting seed germination rates as well as the distribution of plants (e.g. Gervais et al 1998, Bruelheide & Scheidel 1999, P. gayi might impinge upon forest regeneration, and like other terrestrial molluscs, should no longer be neglected as granivore, deserving closer attention than hitherto they have been given.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although they include fruit in their diet and even may act as seed dispersers (Gervais et al 1998), they have been largely neglected as seed predators (Hulme 1998). In the temperate forests of Chile for instance, rodents, birds, some insects and even fungi are regarded as seed predators (Bustamante 1996), but no data is available on the potential role of slugs as frugivores or granivores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phyllocaulis Gayi (Pulmonata: Systellommatophora): A Neglected Granivore in Chilean Temperate Forests?

2003

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Evidence is advanced suggesting that Phyllocaulis gayi, a large slug in the temperate forests of Chile, might be a significant but overlooked granivore. In a short-term experiment, up to 18% of seeds are preyed upon by P. gayi. The intensity of seed predation is significantly reduced in forest fragments.KEYWORDS: Forest fragmentation, granivory, invertebrates, Nothofagus, Phyllocaulis. RESUMENPresentamos evidencia que Phyllocaulis gayi, una babosa de gran tamaño, podría ser un granívoro ignorado en los bosques templados de Chile. En experimentos de corto plazo, un 18% de las semillas son depredadas por P. gayi . La magnitud de la depredación es significativamente reducida en fragmentos de bosque.

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“…Several studies in temperate forests in both Europe and North America have reported seed dispersal by gastropods. For gastropods feeding on fruits of strawberry (Fragaria), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium), and other fleshy-fruited plants, "accidental" consumption of tiny seeds has been frequently reported (Müller 1934;Müller-Schneider 1967;Gervais et al 1998). Slugs have also been shown to swallow the relatively large seeds of wood anemone and wild ginger (Türke et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), and bear's garlic were observed in the feces of wild-caught red slugs (Türke et al 2010;M. Türke, unpublished data), and seeds consumed by gastropods, including those of wood anemone, are capable of germinating after gut passage (Müller 1934;Müller-Schneider 1967;Gervais et al 1998;Türke et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Gastropods, Rather than Ants, Important Dispersers of Seeds of Myrmecochorous Forest Herbs?

Türke

Andreas

Goßner

et al. 2012

The American Naturalist

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Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) is widespread, and seed adaptations to myrmecochory are common, especially in the form of fatty appendices (elaiosomes). In a recent study, slugs were identified as seed dispersers of myrmecochores in a central European beech forest. Here we used 105 beech forest sites to test whether myrmecochore presence and abundance is related to ant or gastropod abundance and whether experimentally exposed seeds are removed by gastropods. Myrmecochorous plant cover was positively related to gastropod abundance but was negatively related to ant abundance. Gastropods were responsible for most seed removal and elaiosome damage, whereas insects (and rodents) played minor roles. These gastropod effects on seeds were independent of region or forest management. We suggest that terrestrial gastropods can generally act as seed dispersers of myrmecochorous plants and even substitute myrmecochory, especially where ants are absent or uncommon.

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The Potential for Seed Dispersal by the Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)

Cited by 38 publications

References 17 publications

Dispersal spectrum of four forest types along an altitudinal range of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Dispersal spectrum of four forest types along an altitudinal range of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Phyllocaulis Gayi (Pulmonata: Systellommatophora): A Neglected Granivore in Chilean Temperate Forests?

Are Gastropods, Rather than Ants, Important Dispersers of Seeds of Myrmecochorous Forest Herbs?

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