The unnoticed effect of a top predator on complex mutualistic ecological interactions

Nogales, Manuel; Castañeda, Irene; López-Darias, Marta; Medina, Félix M.; Bonnaud, Elsa

doi:10.1007/s10530-014-0823-x

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Thus, these seeds undergo a second endozoochorous process, ingested first by the rabbit and then by the bobcat, which is considered a diploendozoochorous disperser (Hämäläinen et al, 2017), as described by Sarasola et al (2016) when seeds of herbaceous plants previously ingested by the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) were found in puma scats. Likewise, Nogales, Medina, and Valido (1996) and Nogales, Castañeda, López-Darias, Medina, and Bonnaud (2015) report the secondary dispersal of seeds by the feral cat (Felis silvestris catus), in which these authors describe seeds of plant species combined with the remains of lizard prey (Gallotia galloti) in the scats of this feline. These studies coincide with our study, in which seeds were found in scats of the bobcat, indicating that this feline is another diploendozoochorous mammal.…”

Section: Quantitative Contribution Of Carnivores (To the Dispersal mentioning

confidence: 99%

Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Rubalcava-Castillo

Ramírez

Luna-Ruíz

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Some carnivorous mammals ingest fruit and disperse seeds of forest plant species capable of colonizing disturbed areas in ecosystems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the dissemination of Arctostaphylos pungens and Juniperus deppeana seeds by the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), and other carnivores in the Protected Natural Area Sierra Fría, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Scat collection was undertaken via transects using the direct search method, while the seasonal phenology of A. pungens and J. deppeana was evaluated by recording flower and fruit abundance on both the plant and the surrounding forest floor ground. Seed viability was assessed by optical densitometry via X‐ray and a germination test. It was found that the gray fox, coyote, ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) disseminated seeds of A. pungens (212 ± 48.9 seeds/scat) and J. deppeana (23.6 ± 4.9 seeds/scat), since a large proportion of the collected scat of these species contained seeds (28/30 = 93.33%, 12/43 = 27.9%, 6/12 = 50% and 7/25 = 28% respectively). The gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat presented an average of seed dispersion of both plant species of 185.4 ± 228.7, 4.0 ± 20.0, 12.1 ± 30.4, and 0.8 ± 1.5 per scat; the seed proportions in the gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat were 89.6/10.4%, 82.3/17.7%, 90.4/9.6%, and 38.1/61.9% for A. pungens and J. deppeana, respectively. The phenology indicated a finding related to the greater abundance of ripe fruit in autumn and winter (p < .01). This coincided with the greater abundance of seeds found in scats during these seasons. Endozoochory and diploendozoochory enhanced the viability and germination of the seeds (p > .05), except in those of A. pungens dispersed by coyote. These results suggest that carnivores, particularly the gray fox, the coyote, and the bobcat, play an important role in forest seed dissemination, and thus forest regeneration, by making both a quantitative and qualitative contribution to the dispersal of the two pioneer species under study.

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Section: Quantitative Contribution Of Carnivores (To the Dispersal mentioning

confidence: 99%

Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Rubalcava-Castillo

Ramírez

Luna-Ruíz

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Improvement in germination success follows if the seeds benefit from a double digestion due to a longer gut retention time (e.g., thick‐coated seeds; Nogales et al. ) or, possibly, if carnivore feces is richer in nutrients or includes a lower number of competing seeds than that of the primary disperser. Negative effects on germination can result from damage to thin‐coated seeds due to coarse materials ingested alongside seeds (Traveset et al.…”

Section: What Makes Diploendozoochory An Ecologically Significant Seementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The one exception took a purely experimental approach under laboratory conditions (Nogales et al. ). The co‐occurrence of seeds and remains of potential primary seed consumers in the secondary disperser's excrements (11 studies) was generally accepted as evidence of diploendozoochory (Table ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…None of the studies directly tested the germination of seeds consumed by the primary consumer which was subsequently consumed by the carnivore, although an attempt at testing this was made by Nogales et al. (). Seven studies compared germination rates between seeds that were not consumed by any animal, seeds that passed through a primary disperser (or were contained in their intestines, Twigg et al.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecological significance of secondary seed dispersal by carnivores

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Animals play an important role in the seed dispersal of many plants. It is increasingly recognized, however, that the actions of a single disperser rarely determine a seed's fate and final location; rather, multiple abiotic or animal dispersal vectors are involved. Some carnivores act as secondary dispersers by preying on primary seed dispersers or seed predators, inadvertently consuming seeds contained in their prey's digestive tracts and later depositing viable seeds, a process known as diploendozoochory. Carnivores occupy an array of ecological niches and thus range broadly on the landscape. Consequently, secondary seed dispersal by carnivores could have important consequences for plant dispersal outcomes, with implications for ecosystem functioning under a changing climate and across disturbed landscapes where dispersal may be otherwise limited. For example, trophic downgrading through the loss of carnivores may reduce or eliminate diploendozoochory and thus compromise population connectivity for lower trophic levels. We review the literature on diploendozoochory and conclude that the ecological impact of a secondary vs. primary seed disperser depends on the relative dispersal distances, germination success, and the proportion of seeds exposed to secondary dispersal by carnivores. None of the studies up to present day have been able to rigorously assess the ecological significance of this process. We provide a framework of the components that determine the significance of diploendozoochory across systems and identify the components that must be addressed in future studies attempting to assess the ecological importance of diploendozoochory.

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“…They prey on native species (Butler, ; Medina & Nogales, ; Young et al ., ), spread diseases (Butler, ; Lacerda, Tomas & Marinho‐Filho, ; Hughes & Macdonald, ), and/or compete for resources (Vanak & Gompper, , ; Paschoal et al ., ). The presence of exotic predators can cause native species to alter their activity patterns (Gerber, Karpanty & Randrianantenaina, ; Farris et al ., ; Zapata‐Ríos & Branch, ), influence reproduction (Massaro et al ., ), change the nature of, or negatively affect trophic interactions (Roemer, Donlan & Courchamp, ; Nogales et al ., ), and interact synergistically with other anthropogenic pressures to exacerbate declines (Doherty et al ., ). Due to their outsized influence on native ecological communities, quantifying the impacts of exotic predators on native wildlife is of vital importance (Glen & Dickman, ; Glen et al ., ; Ballari, Kuebbing & Nunez, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using camera traps to investigate spatial co‐occurrence between exotic predators and native prey species: a case study from northeastern Madagascar

et al. 2018

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The presence of exotic predators in ecosystems across the world is a leading driver of native species’ declines. Exotic predators largely influence native species through predation and harassment, which may cause native species to avoid them spatially. We used a camera trap dataset from seven sites in Madagascar's largest protected area complex to investigate spatial co‐occurrence patterns between three exotic predators (free‐ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis silvestris, and small Indian civet Viverricula indica) and native ground‐dwelling forest birds (n = 5) and small mammals (n = 4). We created 216 two‐species occupancy models for 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings to examine how habitat, exotic predator presence or both, influenced each native species’ occupancy and/or detection. We found that native bird and small mammal occupancy and/or detection were strongly related to an exotic predator's presence 52% of the time (i.e. 14 of 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings). Six of the 14 species pairings (i.e. 43%) had non‐independent co‐occurrence patterns, four of which were habitat‐mediated. The effect of exotic predator presence on native species’ detection was largely negative, depressing native species’ detection in seven out of 12 instances (i.e. 58% of the time). The small Indian civet and free‐ranging cats each strongly influenced the occupancy and/or detection of six species for a combined impact on seven native species, while domestic dogs strongly influenced two species. By including habitat covariates in two‐species occupancy models, we gained deeper insight into the effect exotic predator presence has on native species’ distribution. We also note that the strong effect of exotic predator presence on our ability to detect native species can hinder the ability of researchers to provide accurate parameter estimates. We recommend future research into the synergistic effects that habitat degradation and exotic species presence has on native species.

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The unnoticed effect of a top predator on complex mutualistic ecological interactions

Cited by 12 publications

References 55 publications

Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico

The ecological significance of secondary seed dispersal by carnivores

Using camera traps to investigate spatial co‐occurrence between exotic predators and native prey species: a case study from northeastern Madagascar

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