Nutritional Dimorphism in New Guinea Dioecious Figs

The life history of figs (Ficus, Moraceae) involves pollination by specialized insects and seed dispersal by vertebrate frugivores. This three-way interaction raises the possibility of conflict between pollinators and seed dispersers over fig resources. The conflict might be mediated in dioecious figs by the segregation of inflorescences with specialized male and female sexual functions, termed gall figs and seed figs, on separate trees. In dioecious figs, pollinators are intimately associated with gall figs, whereas vertebrate frugivores prefer seed figs and disperse the seeds they contain. Optimal foraging theory predicts that frugivore preference for ripe seed figs is associated with superior nutritional quality when compared to gall figs. We tested this prediction comparing nutrient and mineral properties of ripe figs in 12 functionally dioecious and two monoecious species from New Guinea. Analyses of variance indicated that gall figs contain more fiber and minerals, whereas seed figs contain significantly more carbohydrates and fat. Fruit bats, the primary dispersers of dioecious figs in New Guinea, prefer carbohydrate-rich diets, and from this perspective, seed figs offer a greater nutritional reward than gall figs. More nondigestible fiber in gall figs than seed figs would appear to discourage frugivory. Parallel differences between ripe gall figs and seed figs occur in each independent dioecious lineage whereas nutritional content in monoecious figs is more similar to seed figs. This suggests that sexual dimorphism in nutritional quality might be adaptive and associated with the maintenance of functional dioecy in figs.     

First record of an apparently rare fig wasp feeding strategy: obligate seed predation

1. Fig trees require host‐specific agaonid fig wasps for pollination, but their figs also support numerous non‐pollinating fig wasps (NPFW) that gall fig tissues or develop as parasitoids. 2. Ficus microcarpa L. is widely naturalised outside its native range and the most invasive fig tree species. Seed predators are widely used for the biological control of invasive plants, but no obligate seed predatory (as opposed to ovule or fig wall galling) NPFW have been recorded previously from any fig trees. 3. Philotrypesis NPFW are usually regarded as parasitoids or ‘inquilines’ (parasitoids that also eat plant material) of pollinator fig wasps, but the present study provides evidence that Philotrypesis taiwanensis, a NPFW associated with F. microcarpa, is an obligate seed predator: (i) adults emerge from seeds of typical appearance, with a surrounding elaiosome; (ii) it shows no preference for figs occupied by fig wasp species, other than the pollinator; (iii) it only develops in figs that contain pollinated ovules, avoiding figs occupied by an agaonid that fails to pollinate; (iv) larvae are distributed in layers where seeds are concentrated and (v) it has a negative impact on seed but not pollinator offspring numbers. 4. Philotrypesis is a large genus, and further species are likely to be seed predators.     

棕果蝠取食对两种榕树种子萌发行为的影响

在实验室利用聚果榕（Fieus racemosa）和对叶榕（Fieus hispida）成熟的果实饲喂笼养棕果蝠（Rousettus leschenaulti）,比较了不同处理的3组种子的萌发行为：（1）棕果蝠粪便中的种子;（2）被吐出的果渣中的种子;（3）成熟果实中的种子（对照）。棕果蝠取食行为显著影响了两种榕树种子的萌发过程,3种不同处理的种子萌发过程及最终萌发率（GP）之间都存在显著的差异。聚果榕种子经过棕果蝠消化道后GP显著降低,而对叶榕种子的GP显著提高。棕果蝠粪便中的聚果榕种子萌发开始（GS）和最短萌发时间（Tmin）均比对照种子延迟了2d,但其粪便中的对叶榕种子G5比对照种子提前了1d,Tmin提前了2d;与之相似,前者种子萌发比果实中种子提前2d达到萌发总量的50％（T50）,但后者没有改变T50。不同种榕果果渣中的种子萌发行为也有重大差异：聚果榕果渣中种子的Tmin和T50均比对照种子延迟1d,GS没发生改变;而对叶榕果渣中种子的Tmin比对照种子提前了3d,GS提前1d,T50没有改变。棕果蝠取食两种榕果后在飞行过程中排泄,进而有效的散布种子;而且通过消化明显改变了种子萌发行为,使种子萌发类型更为多样,增加了种子在不同时空条件下萌发的可能性。     

Differentiation during fig ontogeny suggests opposing selection by mutualists

Dioecy allows separation of female and male functions and therefore facilitates separate co‐evolutionary pathways with pollinators and seed dispersers. In monoecious figs, pollinators' offspring develop inside the syconium by consuming some of the seeds. Flower‐stage syconia must attract pollinators, then ripen and attract seed dispersers. In dioecious figs, male (“gall”) figs produce pollen but not viable seeds, as the pollinators' larvae eat all seeds, while female (“seed”) figs produce mostly viable seeds, as pollinators cannot oviposit in the ovules. Hence, gall and seed figs are under selection to attract pollinators, but only seed figs must attract seed dispersers. We test the hypothesis that seed and gall syconia at the flower stage will be similar, while at the fruiting stage they will differ. Likewise, monoecious syconia will be more similar to seed than gall figs because they must attract both pollinators and seed dispersers. We quantified syconium characteristics for 24 dioecious and 11 monoecious fig species and recorded frugivore visits. We show that seed and gall syconia are similar at the flower stage but differ at the fruit stage; monoecious syconia are more similar to seed syconia than they are to gall syconia; seed and gall syconia differentiate through their ontogeny from flower to fruit stages; and frugivores visit more monoecious and seed syconia than gall syconia. We suggest that similarity at the flower stage likely enhances pollination in both seed and gall figs and that differentiation after pollination likely enhances attractiveness to seed dispersers of syconia containing viable seeds. These ontogenetic differences between monoecious and dioecious species provide evidence of divergent responses to selection by pollinators and seed dispersers.     

The diet of Pteropus voeltzkowi, an endangered fruit bat endemic to Pemba Island, Tanzania

The diet of the Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi , a species endemic to the island of Pemba off Tanzania, was investigated. Faecal pellets, ejecta and dropped fruits were collected from under roosts to facilitate dietary analysis. This was supplemented by data from local villagers and school students. The main component of the diet was mango ( Mangifera indica ), but bats also ate breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis ), figs ( Ficus spp.), flowers, leaves, and other fruit. Pollen from at least five plant species was also found in faecal pellets. Pteropus voeltzkowi may be one of the only species on the island that disperses larger seeds. The germination rate of bat‐ingested seeds was higher than that for seeds from ripe fruit, and this appeared to be linked to selective ingestion of viable seeds by bats.     

The style–length of the female florets and their fate in two dioecious species of Xishuangbanna, China

Constraints and evolution are central for the resolution of conflicts between mutualism species and for the stability of mutualisms. Dioecious fig species and their specific pollinators are also in conflict on the use of fig ovaries. Here, our experiments provided some data on the female florets allocation in two dioecious fig trees. The results showed that: (1) there is a bimodal distribution in the style–length of two fig trees’ female florets, moreover, the style–lengths are fairly similar and narrowly distributed in gall figs and more variation seems to occur in seed figs; (2) the styles in seed figs are a little longer than those in gall figs; (3) the pollinator's ovipositor lengths are shorter than the style–lengths in seed figs, but they are very similar to those in gall figs so that pollinators can only lay their eggs into the ovaries of gall figs, but not in seed figs; (4) the stigmas stick together, and the style is curly and flexible in seed syconia of the two fig species studied, so it is very difficult for the pollinators to find suitable ovipositing sites and lay their eggs in seed figs; (5) the variations of style-lengths are bigger in seed figs than gall figs, but they are smaller in dioecious figs than monoecious figs; (6) for Ficus cyrtophylla, about 10% styles are shorter in seed figs than those in gall figs, even shorter than ovipositor. In contrast, about 2% styles in gall figs of Ficus hispida are longer than its corresponding pollinator's ovipositor. In a word, our study suggests that the female floret's fate in these two fig species is mainly dependent on its style–length, but not all. The stigma shape and the floral organization can both also attribute to their fate in the two fig species studied.     

Frugivory and seed dispersal by foxes in relation to mammalian prey abundance in a semiarid thornscrub

Abstract We examine the role of the native fox, Pseudalopex culpaeus, as a frugivore and seed disperser in a semiarid thornscrub of Chile. We quantified the fruit and animal components in its diet versus the availability of fruits and small mammals in the field over a 2‐year period (January 1998 through February 2000). We tested the legitimacy and effectiveness of foxes as dispersers by quantifying the percentages of seed viability and of germination of seeds that passed through fox gut versus those picked from plants. We also studied their efficiency as dispersers, monitoring the fate of seeds in faeces placed in the field. The highest frequencies of fruit consumption by foxes were observed when abundances of small mammal prey were <6 individuals per hectare, regardless of fruit abundance in the field. Thus, foxes consumed fruits as a supplementary food resource. Based on 326 faeces, the total number of fruits consumed was about 34 000 over the 2‐year study period, and fruits from the alien shrub Schinus molle represented 98% of that total, with the native Porlieria chilensis a distant second. Germination and viability of defecated seeds of P. chilensis were reduced by 66% and 48%, respectively, in comparison to controls. In contrast, germination of seeds of S. molle increased by 50% and no effect on viability was observed. With regard to P. chilensis, foxes were legitimate (they defecated viable seeds), but ineffective (seeds in faeces had lower germination than those taken directly from parental plants and there was no seedling establishment in the field) and inefficient dispersers (seeds in faeces were deposited on microhabitats hostile to seed germination and seedling establishment). However, with regard to S. molle, foxes were legitimate, effective (seeds in faeces had higher germination than those taken directly from parental plants; there was germination but no establishment in the field), and efficient dispersers (over 41% of seeds were deposited on safe microsites). Thus, a native fox may be contributing to the spread of an alien shrub, co‐opting existing community processes.     

Tracking Bat‐Dispersed Seeds Using Fluorescent Pigment1

Tracking the dispersal of seeds by fruit‐eating animals in tropical rain forests is crucial to further our understanding of plant–frugivore interactions and their impacts upon forest regeneration and plant population dynamics. We tested the feasibility of tracking bat‐dispersed seeds in a Philippine lowland rain forest with the help of fluorescent pigment. The powder was mixed with acetone and sprayed to ripe fruits of fig trees, i.e., Ficus septica and F. variegata. During nightly monitoring using a hand‐held ultraviolet lamp bat deposits (seed‐containing spat outs and feces) could successfully be detected. Distances and directions of deposit sites to the focal trees were recorded and seed shadow areas were analyzed. Bats dispersed most of the seeds less than 50 m away from the parent plants resulting in seed shadow areas < 0.30 ha in size. An in situ fruit preference experiment showed that fluorescent powder is unlikely to deter bats from feeding on ripe figs. In conclusion, the technique is simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, applicable to different fields of research and allows one to follow the fate of seeds from known sources.     

Fruits foraging patterns and seed dispersal effect of frugivorous birds on Hippophae rhamnoides sinensis

Behaviors of 18 species of birds eating fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides spp.sinensis were observed from September 2003 to March 2004.Their foraging patterns were found to be very different and Can be divided into five classes:(1)direct swallowing the fruits on crown of the shrubs and sometimes regurgitating seeds soon after;(2)carrying the fruits to their perching sites and swallowing;(3)pecking the fruits from the shrubs to the ground,eating pulp and seeds but leaving pericarp;(4)pecking through the pericarp,eating pulp and leaving pericarp and seeds;(5)pecking through the pericarp on the top of fruits,and only eating seeds.These foraging patterns have different effects on seed dispersal of H.rhamnoides spp.sinensis.The germination experiment of three groups of seeds(seeds from feces,dry fruits and extracted seeds from dry fruits)was carried out.Although ingestion processes of birds had some adverse effects on the seed germination of H.rhamnoides spp.sinensis,the seeds from feces still have a relatively higher germination ratio.H.rhamnoides spp.sinensis provides food to a variety of frugivorous birds.and the birds disperse its seeds.Thus,a mutually beneficial relationship between the bird and the seed is formed.     

Factors affecting Grey‐headed Flying‐fox (Pteropus poliocephalus: Pteropodidae) foraging in the Melbourne metropolitan area,Australia

Abstract Factors affecting the foraging of mobile native fauna in highly fragmented urban landscapes have seldom been quantified at large spatial scales. We investigated factors affecting foraging by Grey‐headed Flying‐foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus; ‘flying‐foxes’) in the greater Melbourne metropolitan area. Flying‐foxes established a continuously occupied colony site in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 1986, and the size of the colony has subsequently increased greatly. We used a stratified‐random sampling design to examine the importance of six variables on the detection of foraging flying‐foxes: (i) distance from the colony site (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 km); (ii) distance from the Yarra River (0–5 and 5–20 km); (iii) the relative tree density of the municipality; (iv) whether the site was a park or street; (v) whether there was a relatively high or low density of trees at the site; and (vi) whether food was or was not detected at the site. We surveyed 240 sites within a 30‐km radius of the colony site for foraging flying‐foxes in both May and October 2002. The probability of detecting a foraging flying‐fox declined with increasing distance from the colony site, but increased with increasing tree cover, and was higher for parks compared with streets and when food was present. Flying‐foxes were observed foraging in a number of plant genera that have no species that naturally occur in the Melbourne area. Flying‐foxes in Melbourne thus forage on planted resources that are widely distributed within a fragmented landscape, and are an example of a positive response by a native species to the process of urbanization.     

Ficus seed shadows in a Bornean rain forest

Due to their copious seed production and numerous dispersers, rain forest fig trees have been assumed to produce extensive and dense seed shadows. To test this idea, patterns of seed dispersal of two species of large hemiepiphytic fig tree were measured in a Bornean rain forest. The sample included four Ficus stupenda and three F. subtecta trees with crop sizes ranging from 2,000 to 40,000 figs (400,000 to 13,000,000 seeds). Seed rain out to a distance of 60 m from each study tree was quantified using arrays of seed traps deployed in the understory. These trees showed a strongly leptokurtic pattern of dispersal, as expected, but all individuals had measurable seed rain at 60 m, ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 seeds/m². A regression of In-transformed seed rain density against distance gave a significant fit to all seven trees' dispersal patterns, indicating that the data could be fitted to the negative exponential distribution most commonly fitted to seed shadows. However, for six of seven trees, an improved fit was obtained for regressions in which distance was also In-transformed. This transformation corresponds to an inverse power distribution, indicating that for vertebrate-dispersed Ficus seeds, the tail of the seed rain distribution does not drop off as rapidly as in the exponential distribution typically associated with wind dispersed seed shadows. Over 50% of the seed crop was estimated to fall below each fig tree's crown. Up to 22% of the seed crop was dispersed beyond the crown edge, but within 60 m of the tree. Estimates of the maximum numbers of seeds which could have been transported beyond 60 m were 45% for the two largest crops of figs, but were under 24% for the trees with smaller crops. Seed traps positioned where they had an upper canopy layer above them were associated with higher probabilities of being hit by seeds, suggesting that vertebrate dispersal agents are likely to perch or travel through forest layers at the same level as the fig crown and could concentrate seeds in such areas to some degree. The probability of a safe site at 60 m from the fig tree being hit by seeds is calculated to be on the order of 0.01 per fruiting episode. Fig trees do not appear to saturate safe sites with seeds despite their large seed crops. If we in addition consider the rarity of quality establishment sites and post-dispersal factors reducing successful seedling establishment, hemiepiphytic fig trees appear to face severe obstacles to seedling recruitment.     

Indirect Evidence that Flying Foxes Track Food Resources Among Islands in a Pacific Archipelago

Although flying foxes (fruit bats in the genus Pteropus ) in continental forests often fly between scattered resources, little is known about their ranging behavior among islands. The inhospitable water matrix that surrounds the food patches (islands) in archipelagos may prevent flying foxes from tracking resources as efficiently as their counterparts on larger landmasses do. Our aim in this study was to determine whether the abundance of foraging flying foxes ( Pteropus tonganus ) reflected food availability on islands in the Vava'u archipelago of Tonga, regardless of island size and isolation. Overall, food availability was the strongest determinant of flying fox abundance, and spatial aspects of the islands (land area within 10 km) had only a small influence. Food availability appears to regulate flying fox abundance only when food resources are low, but when food sources are plentiful, flying fox abundance may be high or low. These results provide indirect evidence that flying foxes are able to track food resources efficiently in an archipelago, and the water matrix that surrounds the food patches (islands) is not a strong deterrent for foraging animals.     

歪叶榕繁殖生态学

该文主要从物候学、行为学和生态学3个方面首次研究报道了我国西双版纳热带雨林下的一种榕树——歪叶榕(Ficus cyrtophylla)的繁殖机制。研究结果表明,歪叶榕榕小蜂(Blastophaga sp.)是歪叶榕唯一的传粉昆虫,传粉行为方式为被动传粉,而且这种榕小蜂也只能在该种榕树中成功繁衍后代。物候学观察结果表明,歪叶榕常绿且叶量常年变化较小,10~11月和3~4月是歪叶榕雄株落叶的高峰期,这时正值西双版纳的雾凉季和干热季,而雌株的落叶高峰期是3~4月;12月和5月是歪叶榕雄株新叶萌发的高峰期,而4~5月是其雌株新叶萌发的高峰期,这时正值西双版纳干热季向雨季过渡的时期,新叶萌发后同时伴随着一次该种榕树的挂果高峰期;歪叶榕在种群水平上常年持续结果,在每年的11月和4~5月有两次结果高峰期,单株每年大量结果2~3次;单棵雄株内结果异步性较高,而雌株内结果高度同步。单果进蜂数(Foundress number)为0~5只,大多数雄果(78.45%)和雌果(84.25%)只有1只传粉榕小蜂,大约16.02%的雄果和13.33%的雌果内含有2只传粉榕小蜂,其它情况均很少。在自然情况下,雄果中的总瘿花量为147.32±62.61(SD)枚,传粉榕小蜂出蜂量为110.94±62.82(SD)只,其中雌蜂多而雄蜂少,传粉榕小蜂性比为0.143 9±0.131 6(SD),瘿花形成率为64.13%±19.89%(SD),雌果中的种子数为231.44±74.25(SD)粒,种子形成率为85.72%±14.19%(SD)。歪叶榕和其传粉榕小蜂在物候学、传粉行为与花药/胚珠比(A/O ratio)和雄花成熟与其羽化出蜂的时期等方面表现出高度的相互适应。     

Effects of ingestion by neotropical bats on germination parameters of native free-standing and strangler figs (Ficus sp., Moraceae)

Fruit-eating animals can influence the germination success of seeds through transportation and handling. We experimentally tested the contribution of ingestion by the common fruit-eating bat, Artibeus jamaicensis (Phyllostomidae, Chiroptera), to the percentage and rate of seed germination of figs (Ficus, Moraceae), which are considered keystone species for many frugivores. We collected fruits from three species of native free-standing figs (subgenus Pharmacosycea: F. insipida, F. maxima and F. yoponensis) and three species of native strangler figs (subgenus Urostigma: F. nymphiifolia, F. obtusifolia and F. popenoei) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The germination success of seeds removed from fruit pulp either manually or by ingestion was very high (>92%), while seeds that were not removed from fruit pulp were destroyed by fast-growing fungi within a few days. The dynamics of seed germination were not influenced by ingestion, but differed between the two subgenera of figs. In free-standing figs, germination started significantly earlier (5.3 ± 0.7 days) than in strangler figs (8.6 ± 1.4 days). Furthermore, strangler seeds were covered with a sticky coating and their seedlings developed cotyledons faster than fine roots, in contrast to free-standing figs that showed the opposite pattern. Our results demonstrate that the germination of fig seeds is positively influenced by passage through the gut of A. jamaicensis. Furthermore, free-standing and strangler figs revealed differences in germination parameters that might be adaptive with respect to the suitability of microsites such as tree fall gaps or host trees for establishment.     

Food Competition Between Wild Orangutans in Large Fig Trees

Orangutans are usually solitary. However, occasionally aggregations are formed, especially in large fruiting fig trees. Individuals in these aggregations may experience scramble or contest competition for food. We investigated the type and strength of food competition in large figs among wild Sumatran orangutans. Adult males foraged more efficiently than adult females and subadult males did. The availability of ripe fruit is positively related to the number of orangutans visiting a fig tree and their foraging efficiency. The number of orangutans in a fig tree did not affect patch residence time and foraging behavior, though orangutans spent more time feeding when aggregation size increased in a fig tree. Dominance relationships could be measured in a number of dyads. Differences in dominance did not affect foraging behavior. The patch residence time of subordinate individuals was reduced on days that a dominant individual also visited the fig. In conclusion, orangutans seem to adjust aggregation size to the number of available ripe fruits in a fig tree in such a way that scramble competition was absent. Contest competition determined access to large fig trees.     

Fruits foraging patterns and seed dispersal effect of frugivorous birds on Hippophae rhamnoides sinensis

Behaviors of 18 species of birds eating fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides spp. sinensis were observed from September 2003 to March 2004. Their foraging patterns were found to be very different and can be divided into five classes: (1) direct swallowing the fruits on crown of the shrubs and sometimes regurgitating seeds soon after; (2) carrying the fruits to their perching sites and swallowing; (3) pecking the fruits from the shrubs to the ground, eating pulp and seeds but leaving pericarp; (4) pecking through the pericarp, eating pulp and leaving pericarp and seeds; (5) pecking through the pericarp on the top of fruits, and only eating seeds. These foraging patterns have different effects on seed dispersal of H. rhamnoides spp. sinensis. The germination experiment of three groups of seeds (seeds from feces, dry fruits and extracted seeds from dry fruits) was carried out. Although ingestion processes of birds had some adverse effects on the seed germination of H. rhamnoides spp. sinensis, the seeds from feces still have a relatively higher germination ratio. H. rhamnoides spp. sinensis provides food to a variety of frugivorous birds, and the birds disperse its seeds. Thus, a mutually beneficial relationship between the bird and the seed is formed. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2005, 24(6): 635–638 [译自: 生态学杂志, 2005, 24(6): 635–638]     

西双版纳地区4种榕树果实的资源分配及其种子萌发特性

为了解榕树果实的资源分配和种子萌发特征,对西双版纳地区的垂叶榕(Ficus benjamina)、高山榕(F.altissima)、聚果榕(F.racemosa)和无柄雅榕(F.concinna)的果实营养、繁殖资源分配,以及种子萌发特性进行了研究。结果表明,4种榕果的营养分配存在差异,榕果重的种类果肉亦多,榕果大者果腔较大,且种子数量较多,但雄花和榕小蜂数量不一定多。榕果分配给雌性功能及雄性功能繁殖的小花比例也不相同,聚果榕在雌性功能上的分配显著大于雄性功能,其它3种榕果则分配于雄性功能的资源比雌性功能的多,但程度不同。此外,4种榕树的种子大小及重量存在显著的种间差异,以至于影响到种子的萌发率及根茎生长,果实最大的聚果榕种子最多,萌发率高,但由于种子最小,其根茎生长缓慢且短;果实适中的垂叶榕和高山榕种子较大,不但萌发率较高,其根茎生长也较快;果实和种子都小的无柄雅榕,种子萌发率低,根茎生长慢。生长在水热环境好的榕树比生长在相对贫瘠环境的榕树,由于极少面临水热光照等限制,更容易进化出较小的种子,萌发能力和速度也相对较差。这说明不同生境中榕树进化出了不同的繁殖分配机制及资源利用策略来适应环境变化。     

Flying foxes as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira species

Recent serologic studies have identified flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) as carriers of leptospirosis; however, little is known about the role of flying foxes as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp. To determine if Australian Pteropus spp. are carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp., TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect leptospiral DNA in kidney and urine specimens from four species of flying fox, including the spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus), black flying fox (Pteropus alecto), grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), and little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus). Of the 173 kidney samples tested, 19 (11%) were positive for leptospiral DNA. Positive individuals were detected in all four species; significant differences in prevalence were not detected between species, between species within the same geographic area, or between geographically separated samples from the same species. Of the 46 urine samples tested, 18 (39%) tested positive by PCR, confirming that flying foxes shed leptospires into the environment. The detection of leptospiral DNA in the kidneys and urine of flying foxes suggests that flying foxes are carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp. No evidence collected in the present study, however, suggests that flying foxes pose a significant risk of leptospirosis to the wider community or that humans who are in regular, close contact with flying foxes are at risk for leptospirosis.     

Rook Spring Seed Dispersal in the Agricultural Landscape – Frugivory, Granivory or Accidental Transport?

Seed dispersal seems to be extremely important in agrocoenoses where suitable habitats (patches) are surrounded by an unfavourable environment (matrix). The role of the rook Corvus frugilegus, an omnivorous bird, in seed dispersal was studied in the agricultural landscape of Eastern Poland. We analyzed 739 pellets produced by regurgitation, which were collected under breeding colonies in April, May and June. Our goal was to i) assess the structure of the seed pool in pellets; ii) evaluate the temporal variation in the pellet seed pool on two different time scales; iii) compare the species composition of seeds in pellets and vegetation under the rook nests. Seeds were present in 18 % of pellets; 571 seeds were found, half of them belonging to dry-fruited species, without any obvious adaptations to endozoochory. These seeds could be an additional source of food, or they could have been accidentally swallowed during foraging for other food items. Taking into consideration the abundance of the rook population, we assessed the mean number of seeds transferred by one bird to be from 4 seeds per month in April and up to 160 seeds in June. The most important factor responsible for qualitative and quantitative structure of seed pool in pellets is the time when pellets were regurgitated. The type and availability of food determines the number and species structure of dispersed seeds. The comparison of the species structure of the seed pool in pellets and of the herb layer under the breeding colonies showed that the rook could effectively disperse seeds of weeds, meadow and ruderal species, that could germinate under the dense canopy of trees at the studied sites.