The terrestrial arthropods of Mauritius: a neglected conservation target

Motala, Saoud M.; Krell, Frank-Thorsten; Mungroo, Y.; Donovan, Sarah E.

doi:10.1007/s10531-006-9050-9

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…After the extinction of the largest lemur species, many of the large dung beetles went extinct, although some Helictopleurini species were able to switch to dung of cattle (Hanski et al, 2008). Endemic dung beetles are also rare to the point of extinction on the island of Mauritius, sometimes found in only one location (Motala et al, 2007), while their remains are plentiful in Holocene subfossil deposits filled with the bones of island megafauna tortoises and the dodo (Rijsdijk et al, 2015). In addition, the large-bodied elephant-specialist Heliocopris species remain abundant in regions across continental Africa that have historically retained higher elephant densities, such as Kruger National Park.…”

Section: (B) Large Predatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions

et al. 2017

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For hundreds of millions of years, large vertebrates (megafauna) have inhabited most of the ecosystems on our planet. During the late Quaternary, notably during the Late Pleistocene and the early Holocene, Earth experienced a rapid extinction of large, terrestrial vertebrates. While much attention has been paid to understanding the causes of this massive megafauna extinction, less attention has been given to understanding the impacts of loss of megafauna on other organisms with whom they interacted. In this review, we discuss how the loss of megafauna disrupted and reshaped ecological interactions, and explore the ecological consequences of the ongoing decline of large vertebrates. Numerous late Quaternary extinct species of predators, parasites, commensals and mutualistic partners were associated with megafauna and were probably lost due to their strict dependence upon them (co-extinctions). Moreover, many extant species have megafauna-adapted traits that provided evolutionary benefits under past megafauna-rich conditions, but are now of no or limited use (anachronisms). Morphological evolution and behavioural changes allowed some of these species partially to overcome the absence of megafauna. Although the extinction of megafauna led to a number of co-extinction events, several species that likely co-evolved with megafauna established new interactions with humans and their domestic animals. Species that were highly specialized in interactions with megafauna, such as large predators, specialized parasites, and large commensalists (e.g. scavengers, dung beetles), and could not adapt to new hosts or prey were more likely to die out. Partners that were less megafauna dependent persisted because of behavioural plasticity or by shifting their dependency to humans via domestication, facilitation or pathogen spill-over, or through interactions with domestic megafauna. We argue that the ongoing extinction of the extant megafauna in the Anthropocene will catalyse another wave of co-extinctions due to the enormous diversity of key ecological interactions and functional roles provided by the megafauna.

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Section: (B) Large Predatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions

et al. 2017

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“…Oribatid mites and spider fragments are also present. Several species of scarabaeine dung-beetle were recovered, a group presently restricted to upland forest on Mauritius (Motala et al, 2007). Although no physical remains of fig trees (Ficus) have been discovered, it is probable that at least one species was present, as fig wasps of several genera have been recovered from the fossil assemblage.…”

Section: Invertebrates (Gastropods and Insects)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mid-Holocene vertebrate bone Concentration-Lagerstätte on oceanic island Mauritius provides a window into the ecosystem of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

Rijsdijk

Hume

Bunnik

et al. 2009

Quaternary Science Reviews

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“…The diverse food resources provided by plants (flower buds, flowers, nectar, pollen and fruits) support different guilds of faunal species including mammals, birds, reptiles and insects [53][54]. For example, the forest in southwest Mauritius where this study was conducted, harbours most of the threatened endemic bird, reptile and insect populations of high conservation value [55][56]. Increased availability of food resources due to habitat restoration should form a more important component of conservation efforts of the endangered extant fauna.…”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Alien Plants Elicit Reduced Production of Flowers and Fruits in Various Native Forest Species on the Tropical Island of Mauritius (Mascarenes, Indian Ocean)

Monty

Florens

Baider

2013

Tropical Conservation Science

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Biological invasions constitute a major threat to biodiversity. However, while the impact of invasive alien animals on native biota is often unambiguous, the impacts of invasive alien plants (IAP) appear to be considerably less severe and, at times, more debatable. Invasion by alien plants co-occur with other drivers of habitat change such that assessing impacts of IAP independently of these other factors may be difficult. Generalisations can be misleading, because studies reveal different responses of native plants to the presence of IAP. Therefore, there is a need to understand general trends and exceptions within a particular habitat. In the island of Mauritius, mechanical control of invasive alien plants has been implemented for decades in lowland wet forests. Weeded and non-weeded areas are very similar in all aspects, except for the control of IAP, providing an opportunity to study how IAP are affecting native plants. We monitored the reproductive output of 20-40 individuals each, of nine selected native species from different forest strata, in both weeded and adjacent non-weeded areas in a lowland wet forest, through direct count/estimation of the number of flower buds, flowers and fruits. Flower bud, flower and fruit production were greater in the weeded area. These results are consistent with previous findings that noted greater regeneration of native trees in these areas. This study also provides clues to reported decline of shade tolerant understory vegetation in alien invaded forest and further stresses the importance of removing alien plants to restore biodiversity and function and achieve conservation success. Keywords: Conservation management, Invasive plants, Phenology, Native plants ResumoInvasões biológicas são uma ameaça séria à biodiversidade. Enquanto o impacto dos animais exóticos invasores na biodiversidade é considerado inequívoco, o das plantas exóticas invasoras (PEI) parece ser menos problemático e mais controversos. PEI atuam simultaneamente com outros elementos modificadores do ambiente e discernir os seus impactos únicos é uma tarefa difícil. Como estudos têm mostrado respostas diferentes das plantas nativas quando na presença de PEI, generalizações podem ser enganosas, pois é necessário que entenda-se primeiro as tendências gerais e depois as exceções de cada habitat. Na ilha Maurício, o controle mecânico de PEI têm sido feito nas florestas ombrófilas úmidas perenifólias de baixa altitude já há algumas décadas. Como áreas floristicamente similares onde PEI foram removidas são adjacentes às áreas que continuam invadidas, estudos podem determinar a influência das PEI nas plantas nativas. As fenofases de 20-40 indivíduos, de nove espécies nativas de diferentes estratos, foram inspecionadas em áreas adjacentes com e sem PEI, e quantificadas por meio de contagem direta e/ou estimativa do número de botões florais, flores e frutos. A produção de botões florais, flores e frutos foram maiores nas áreas sem PEI, o que corrobora estudos anteriores que mostraram uma maior regeneração d...

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The terrestrial arthropods of Mauritius: a neglected conservation target

Cited by 21 publications

References 45 publications

Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions

Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions

Mid-Holocene vertebrate bone Concentration-Lagerstätte on oceanic island Mauritius provides a window into the ecosystem of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

Invasive Alien Plants Elicit Reduced Production of Flowers and Fruits in Various Native Forest Species on the Tropical Island of Mauritius (Mascarenes, Indian Ocean)

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