塔里木河下游主要荒漠植物繁殖体的形状、大小与质量比较

研究了塔里木河下游主要荒漠植物(21种)繁殖体的形状、大小、质量(17种为种子,4种为果实)。用三维方差衡量繁殖体形状,用三维之和衡量繁殖体大小,繁殖体百粒质量衡量繁殖体质量。结果表明：1)21种植物繁殖体的形状差异很大,且豆科(Fabaceae)植物的繁殖体形状接近圆球形,菊科(Compositae)植物的繁殖体形状较大地偏离圆球形(方差>0.05)。21种植物繁殖体大小、质量差异也很大;2)繁殖体大小的表现趋势与其相应的质量的表现趋势具有一定的一致性;3)研究区主要荒漠植物中,多年生草本植物的种类虽然不及灌木(半灌木)的种类丰富,但其繁殖体平均质量却比灌木(半灌木)多18%;4)在21种植物的繁殖体中,9种具有持久土壤种子库。100%的柽柳科(Tamaricaceae)植物、100%的菊科植物都具冠毛,这些附属物对植物繁殖体的传播和定居具有重要的意义。     

植冠种子库及其生态意义研究

植冠种子库由成熟的种子宿存在植冠上形成。种子可在植物植冠中存留1～30年或者更长时间。40属木本植物中有1200种植物具有植冠种子库,它们大多分布在火灾易发区和干旱区。植冠种子库是植物繁殖对策的一个方面,具有延缓繁殖体传播、使繁殖体免受捕食、调节萌发时间、将种子降落在适宜位置等生态功能。本文对植冠种子库的概念、分类、具有植冠种子库物种的地理分布、植冠种子库的研究现状及植冠种子库研究中存在的问题进行了论述。应加强对干旱区植冠种子库种子脱落机制和沙漠地区植冠种子库生态意义的研究。     

科尔沁沙地78种植物繁殖体重量和形状比较

研究了科尔沁沙地 78种植物的繁殖体 (2 3种为种子 ,5 5种为果实 )重量和形状 ,其重量差别很大 ,最小的单粒重不足 0 .1mg,最大的超过 130 mg;形状差异也很大 ,最小的方差不足 0 .0 3,最大的超过 0 .18。综合本研究和以前研究的全部 14 0种植物的研究结果 ,进行了分析。结果表明 :1计有 2 4种植物繁殖体单粒重小于 1mg并接近圆球形 (方差小于 0 .0 9) ,它们可能具有持久种子库 ;2 1年生植物 (平均方差为 0 .0 70 )与 2年生植物 (平均方差为 0 .12 9)间的形状差异显著 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,2年生植物的繁殖体更加扁、长 ;1年生植物也与多年生草本植物 (平均方差为 0 .10 9)之间形状差异显著 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,多年生草本植物的繁殖体更加扁、长 ;3有 5 5 %的豆科植物、70 %的藜科植物繁殖体接近圆球形 (方差 <0 .0 6 ) ,所有的菊科、萝摩科植物繁殖体都很扁、长 (方差 >0 .0 6 )。豆科植物显著比菊科、禾本科、藜科植物繁殖体的重量大 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;4繁殖体附属物在植物的传播和定居方面具有重要的作用 :6种萝摩科植物和 3种杨柳科植物具有绢毛 ,6 0 %的菊科植物具有冠毛 ,6种植物有翅 ,8种植物有宿存花柱或宿存花萼 ,这些植物可能易于被风传播 ;5 4 %的禾本科植物具芒 ,减小了传播可能 ;苍耳、雾冰藜、鹤虱、蒺藜、     

伊犁河谷苦豆子植冠种子库特征

植物果实成熟后在植冠宿存延迟释放种子,是沙生生境植物的一种适应性性状。以分布于新疆霍城县荒漠草原内的野生苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides L.)为研究对象,采用野外调查的方法,调查了野生苦豆子的植冠种子库的大小、种子活力、对土壤种子库的补充及其脱落动态。结果表明:在3月上旬,苦豆子植冠宿存种子的规模为271±124粒·m~(-2);其中,完整种子达144±138粒·m~(-2),构成了苦豆子的植冠种子库;对种皮进行机械破损后,植冠种子库的种子发芽率达76.98%±11.89%,种子活力指数保持在72.44±39.01;苦豆子生殖株植冠种子库种子宿存的时间长达9个月,可以在较长时间范围内有效补充土壤种子库,并与土壤种子库共同执行种群更新和群落演替的繁殖体供应库的功能。研究结果有助于了解苦豆子的繁殖生态学特性,解析其在伊犁河谷恶性蔓延的生物生态学机理,为伊犁河谷草原生态系统的科学管理提供理论支持。     

沙丘区植物植冠储藏种子的活力和萌发特征

研究了科尔沁沙地10种植物的植冠储藏(成熟后在植冠中保留至翌年5月)种子的活力及萌发特性.结果表明：典型沙生植物(流动沙丘及半固定沙丘植物)沙蓬、乌丹蒿和差巴嘎蒿的植冠储藏种子80%以上具有活力,而非典型沙生植物的植冠储藏种子有活力的不足80%,甚至在30%以下;典型沙生植物的植冠储藏种子表现出“速萌型”的萌发特征.植冠种子库使典型沙生植物种子的脱落延迟到风季结束、雨季来临的时候,而且此时的种子活力较高、萌发迅速.植冠种子库是典型沙生植物适应流沙和季节性干旱的主要方式之一.     

植冠与土壤种子库储存种子的萌发特性及策略

为明确黄土丘陵沟壑区植物种子库如何调控种子萌发来提高个体适合度,选择研究区7种具有种子库的主要物种为研究对象,以刚成熟和室内储存种子为对照,比较植冠宿存(5个宿存期)和土壤埋藏(5a埋藏期)对植物种子萌发特性的影响,探讨植冠种子库与土壤种子库储存下的种子萌发策略。结果表明:7种植物种子经过不同种子库储存后萌发特性表现出明显的种间差异,黄刺玫(Rosa xanthina)和水栒子(Cotoneaster multiflorus)种子萌发力表现为植冠宿存不变型、土壤储存增强型,土壤储存明显提高水栒子种子萌发速率;达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica)和狼牙刺(Sophora davidii)种子萌发力表现为植冠宿存增强型、土壤储存减弱型,种子萌发历时表现为植冠宿存延长型,土壤种子库储存还可加快达乌里胡枝子萌发速率、缩短萌发历时;茭蒿(Artemisia giralaii)和铁杆蒿(Artemisia gmelinii),种子萌发率随植冠宿存时间先升高后降低,随土壤储存时间先降低后升高,土壤储存可推迟其萌发,铁杆蒿种子萌发速率在植冠与土壤储存后均加快;紫丁香(Syringa oblata)种子萌发率随植冠宿存先升高后降低,土壤储存明显加快其种子启动萌发与速率。在黄土丘陵沟壑区,植物种子经过植冠或土壤种子库储存,或增加、加快、提早萌发充分利用有利条件提高占据性,或减少、减缓、推迟萌发分摊不利条件的风险;而且该区植物植冠与土壤储存后种子萌发特性间的关系,体现各自适应环境与应对干扰的分工与协作策略,主要表现为:单一主导型和相辅相成型。     

轮牧时间对荒漠草原土壤种子库特性的影响

探讨季节性放牧下土壤种子库的特性对荒漠草原合理利用具有重要作用。以宁夏荒漠草原为对象,通过封育(FY)、传统时间轮牧(FG)、延迟开始轮牧(YG)、提前结束轮牧(TG)、延迟开始并提前结束轮牧(YT)和自由放牧(ZY)处理,研究了0～5、5～10、10～15 cm土层土壤种子库物种组成、种子库密度、垂直分布、多样性及其与地上植被的关系,探讨了种子库与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明: 研究区土壤种子库物种组成共有9个科21个种。土壤种子库物种组成以TG种子库种类最多,达13种,而FY和ZY土壤种子库种类最少,各8种。ZY土壤种子库密度显著高于FY、YG、TG、YT;FY的土壤种子库中多年生植物种子数量最多,达32.0%;ZY种子库中多年生植物种子数最少,仅为12.4%,主要以有性繁殖的一年生杂类草种子为主;土壤种子库主要集中于0～5 cm表层土壤,随着土层深度的增加,土壤种子库大小降低。土壤种子库的优势度和多样性均以FY最高,优势度、多样性和均匀度均以ZY最低。土壤种子库与地上植被的相似性总体较低,相比之下FG及ZY种子库与地上植被相似性较高,FY最低。土壤水分、有机质、全氮、全磷、土壤容重是影响土壤种子库的主要土壤因子。与传统全年自由放牧相比,季节性四区轮牧能使荒漠草原土壤种子库多年生植物种类、密度以及种子库物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度增加,虽作用不及长期封育草地,但对荒漠草原的利用与保护具有重要意义。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区潜在抗侵蚀植物分析

基于对黄土丘陵沟壑区延河流域多年(2003—2014年)植被调查资料的整理分析,根据抗侵蚀植物定义及Braun-Blanquet植物社会学方法,筛选该区潜在的抗侵蚀植物,阐明不同抗侵蚀植物的分布特征及其生存繁衍能力。结果表明:1)共筛选出潜在的抗侵蚀植物42种,分属18科33属,禾本科、豆科、菊科、蔷薇科物种最多,占总物种数的66%。2)42种植物中85%的物种生活型为高位芽、地上芽和地面芽植物,76%的物种生长型为灌木/小灌木和多年生草本,78%的物种水分生态类型为旱生和中生;结合该流域的气候条件及42种植物的分布范围,可将其分成广幅种、中幅种、窄幅种3种类型。3)55%的物种最大盖度超过50%,可成为群落的建群种或单优种;其它最大盖度小于50%的物种多成为群落的共优种,这些物种具有较高的盖度和地上生物量,表明植物能适应该区侵蚀环境且长势较好。4)42种植物几乎都具有土壤种子库和幼苗库,60%的物种具有植冠种子库;除一年生植物,其他植物均可进行营养繁殖,表明潜在的抗侵蚀植物均能维持自身的生存繁衍。5)42种植物中有13种为主杆型植物,其较大的冠幅能够保护基部土壤;8种疏丛型植物具较强的保护土体和拦截沉积物能力;6种聚丛型和7种簇丛型植物能有效拦截沉积物。总之,只占研究区记录的总物种数13%的潜在抗侵蚀植物具有种子库和幼苗库,多年生植物以营养生殖为主,能维持自身的生存繁衍;由于植冠对其下土壤的保护和植物基部茎对沉积物的拦截,在植物基部能形成土堆,可有效控制土壤侵蚀。     

沿中国东北样带 (NECT)分布的若干克隆植物与非克隆植物光合速率与水分利用效率的比较(英文)

比较了沿 1 6 70km长的中国东北样带 (NECT)分布的在繁殖习性上不同的植物功能型 ,克隆植物 (clonalplant)与非克隆植物 (non_clonalplant)的光合作用、蒸腾作用、气孔导度、水分利用效率。所测定的 2 1 8种植物中有1 1 5种属于克隆植物。对于灌木和草本植物功能型而言 ,净光合速率 (Pn)和水分利用效率 (WUE)在样带东西两端较低 ,在样带中间较高 ;蒸腾速率在温带荒漠植物分布的西端出现升高的趋势。在森林乔木、森林灌木、森林草本、草甸草原灌木、草甸草原草本、典型草原灌木、典型草原草本、荒漠草原灌木、荒漠草原草本等不同功能型的植物中 ,典型草原灌木和草本植物的光合生理指标较高。在相同的生长环境中 ,克隆植物比非克隆植物表现出较高的Pn 以及其他生理指标。克隆植物的光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、水分利用效率分别比非克隆植物高出 2 2 %、1 5 %、2 3%和 1 4 %。这种现象表明克隆植物在CO2 、光能和水分资源利用能力上优于非克隆植物     

荒漠草原土壤种子库对草地管理方式的响应

以宁夏中部不同封育年限(封育1a、3a、5a和7a)、不同放牧方式(中等强度自由放牧、中等强度4区轮牧)、补播改良(2006年补播沙打旺Astragalus adsurgens和紫花苜蓿Alfalfa stiva)及未封育等管理方式下的荒漠草原为研究对象,采用空间梯度代替时间梯度法,于2012年3月下旬用样线法采集土壤样品,采用温室萌发法,统计土壤种子库物种组成和种子数,研究了不同草地管理方式下的种子库与地上植被相似性、多样性等特征。结果表明:1)宁夏荒漠草原土壤种子库中共出现14种植物,分属6科14属,除牛枝子(Lespedeza potanimii)为半灌木外其余均为草本植物。多年生植物占土壤种子库植物总数的65.3%,一年生植物占土壤种子库植物总数的35.7%;多年生植物种子数量随封育年限增加而表现为下降趋势,封育1a和未封育草地最多;2)不同管理方式下土壤种子库和地上植被的共有物种数为2—6种,封育时间延长导致土壤种子库物种与地上植被相似性下降,土壤种子库和地上植被共有物种数有减少趋势,自由放牧降低了土壤种子库和地上植被的共有物种数,补播恢复的草地土壤种子库中未出现补播物种;3)种子库物种多样性与管理方式无明显的相关性;种子库物种多样性指数4区轮牧草地最高,封育7a草地最低,物种丰富度指数封育1a草地最高,均匀度指数自由放牧草地最高,补播草地最低。若荒漠草原仅依靠土壤种子库恢复自然植被,则不建议封育时间过久,需间以适当的干扰(放牧);补播外来种未对荒漠草原土壤种子库产生贡献,反而对乡土种产生了一定限制。     

Biogeography of seed-dispersal syndromes, life-forms and seed sizes among woody rain-forest plants in Australia's subtropics

Aim To enhance our understanding of the evolutionary interactions between seed‐dispersal syndromes, life‐forms, seed size, and habitat characteristics by studying their association with the regional‐scale distributions of subtropical rain‐forest plants in the context of climatic gradients. Location South‐east Queensland, subtropical eastern Australia (152° E, 26° S). Methods We classified 250 rain‐forest sites into six floristic site‐groups based on their woody plant composition. The resulting classification was strongly associated with variation in rainfall. The distribution of species across the floristic site‐groups was used to assign 568 species to seven habitat classes (one class for ‘widespread’ species, with all other species classified according to the site‐group within which they were most frequent). Species were also classified for three other categorical life‐history factors: three dispersal syndromes based on diaspore morphology (fleshy, wind‐assisted, and unadorned); four life‐forms (trees, shrubs and small trees, tall climbers, and short and shrubby climbers); and four seed‐diameter classes (< 3 mm, ≥ 3 and < 4.5 mm, ≥ 4.5 and < 7 mm, and ≥ 7 mm). We used a basic comparative approach augmented by simple phylogenetically constrained comparisons to assess association between dispersal syndrome, seed size, life‐form, and habitat class. Results Across the rain forests of south‐east Queensland, the proportion of species with fleshy diaspores or of large stature increases with rainfall. High‐rainfall sites also have larger average seed sizes, but the difference in average seed size between high‐ and low‐rainfall sites is small compared with variation within sites. Among species, those with fleshy fruit tend to have larger seeds and to favour high‐rainfall sites. Very few small trees produce diaspores adapted for wind‐assisted dispersal. On average, species with unadorned diaspores have smaller seeds than those with fleshy diaspores. However, within sites, species with unadorned and fleshy diaspores have similar average seed sizes, and some species with unadorned diaspores from high‐rainfall habitats have extremely large seeds. Main conclusions Commonly observed associations between fleshy fruit, larger plants, larger seeds, and productive habitats are apparent within the rain‐forest flora of south‐east Queensland. However, these associations are generally weak and involve complex interactions. For example, the strong tendency for species with fleshy fruit to have larger seeds than those with unadorned diaspores concealed a significant group of species from wetter forests that produce extremely large seeds and unadorned diaspores. The most widespread species in this study tend to be large plants (particularly robust lianes) and to produce fleshy fruit, but they tend not to have relatively large seeds. The association between large seeds, large plants, fleshy fruit and productive habitats is discussed as part of an evolutionary strategy favouring fitness in populations close to carrying capacity. We review some problems with focusing on establishment chances per seed as the driver towards association between large seeds, large plants and productive rain‐forest habitats (the difficult‐establishment hypothesis). Instead we suggest that production of large, short‐lived seeds by long‐lived plants in temporally stable, closed habitats may reflect the limited evolutionary potential for strategies enhancing colonization (e.g. producing large numbers of dormant seeds), thus allowing the establishment benefits of large seeds greater selective influence (the slow‐replacement hypothesis). The association of fleshy fruit with large seeds probably reflects the difficulty of dispersing large seeds by other means (the difficult‐dispersal hypothesis).     

Plants Growing on the Walls of Italian Towns 2. Reproductive Ecology

Abstract

In this study of the reproductive ecology of wall plants, adaptation to wall habitats was observed to be influenced by characteristics of the vegetative and reproductive structures. Perennial species were more numerous than annuals. Diaspore dispersal was principally anemochorous, due to the small size and weight of diaspores, together with anatomical features and aerostatic organs favouring wind dispersal. Species adaptability and the efficiency of reproductive mechanisms are evidently the main factors ensuring the survival and dispersal of wall plants.     

Myrmecochory in some plants (F. chenopodiaceae) of the Australian arid zone

Summary Several common plants (Chenopodiaceae) of the Australian arid zone produce diaspores that bear small and inconspicuous food bodies and are adapted for dispersal by ants. For these species, myrmecochory probably represents an adaptation for highly directional dispersal of diaspores to favorable microsites where nutrients are concentrated and possibly more accessible. Dispersal of diaspores by ants can have a pronounced effect on plant dispersion. In habitats characterized by red, crusty alluvial loam soils, myrmecochorous species grow almost exclusively on ant mounds; these same species grow in relatively continuous stands in sandy soil habitats. The flora of the Australia arid zone may contain many plant species that are adapted to use ants as dispersal agents. We consider several factors that may have promoted or facilitated the evolution of myrmecochory in arid zone plants.     

Postdispersal survivorship of north Queensland rainforest seeds and fruits: Effects of forest,habitat and species

Abstract Diaspore (seed and/or fruit) survivorship of 12 species of North Queensland rainforest trees was monitored over a 4 week period in two rainforests on the Atherton Tableland, north Queensland, Australia, with replicated sites in forest interiors, canopy gaps, forest edges and adjacent pastures. General linear modelling was used to estimate the relative importance of forest site, habitat, species and diaspore type on survival. The probability of survival varied significantly among species, between habitat, forest and diaspore types. Survival averaged 41.2% at day 28, was greater in one forest (Curtain Fig, 56.1%) than the other (Lamins Hill, 25.3%) and was apparently inversely related to the abundance of rodents. In both forests, survival declined in the order: pasture ≥ forest edge ≥ forest interior = canopy gap. A lack of significant difference between the forest interior and canopy gap is consistent with findings in other rainforest sites within Australia, but contrasts with most results from other continents. The study also indicated that diaspore weight was an important intrinsic variable affecting survival, the predators (mostly rodents) taking small to moderately large diaspores rather than the very large ones.     

Bird attributes, plant characteristics, and seed dispersal of Pera glabrata (Schott, 1858), (Euphorbiaceae) in a disturbed cerrado area

Several plant characteristics, such as fruit production, nutrient reward, secondary compounds, and fruit color display, affect fruit choice by birds. On the other hand, several bird attributes affect their efficiency as dispersers. Here we investigate the ornithochoric seed dispersal of Pera glabrata Schott (Euphorbiaceae) in a cerrado fragment in southeastern Brazil. A set of bird attributes, such as frequency of visits, number of diaspores eaten, time spent foraging, methods of taking and handling the diaspores and agonistic interactions were analyzed in order to infer about the potential of each species to act as a seed disperser. Birds were the unique seed dispersers of these oil-rich diaspores. We observed 414 bird visits during 60 hours of focal observations in five trees from December 1999 to January 2000. Twenty bird species from seven families ate the diaspores of P. glabrata, but only 14 species were considered potential seed dispersers because they swallowed the diaspores, increasing the probabilities for the seeds to be defecated and/or regurgitated away from the parent trees. The main potential seed dispersers were: Turdus leucomelas (Muscicapidae), Dacnis cayana (Emberizidae), Colaptes melanochloros (Picidae) and Elaenia spp. (Tyrannidae). We did not find any significant seasonal change in the number of visits on the fruiting trees throughout the day. We also did not find any relation between the number of visits per tree and fruit production. The most effective seed dispersers of P. glabrata were generalist birds, which have a high visiting rate, high fruit consumption rate, and spend short periods on the plants. The large number of species recorded as potential seed dispersers of P. glabrata, being most of them very abundant even in Brazilian disturbed areas, may guarantee seed dispersal of this plant in small fragments and regenerating areas.     

中国藓类植物无性繁殖体的初步观察

无性生殖在苔藓植物的生活史中起着重要的作用,并且常通过各种无性繁殖体来完成。无性繁殖体的形态常被用来辅助鉴定一些不育的藓类植物。本文通过对38种藓类植物的无性繁殖体进行显微观察,结果显示：无性繁殖体在不同的藓类植物之间已经过多次演化;无性繁殖体的形态在种内是相对稳定的,且与其着生位置、配子体的分枝方式密切相关,而与植物的系统位置以及生境并无直接的关系;无性繁殖体的颜色与其胞壁的厚度以及表面纹饰密切相关。此外,无性繁殖体的产生常常与假根、原丝体有共存关系。在研究中发现,藓类植物的无性繁殖体主要包括原丝体芽胞、无性芽胞（叶生芽胞、中肋芽胞、枝生芽胞）、芽体、假根芽胞和假根状块茎;其中原丝体芽胞和无性芽胞最为常见。     

Ants as diaspore removers of non-myrmecochorous plants: a meta-analysis

Diaspore (e.g. seeds, fruits) dispersal is pivotal for plant communities and often involves several steps and different dispersing agents. Most studies focusing on diaspore dispersal by animals have highlighted the role of vertebrates, neglecting the role of ants in the diaspore dispersal of non-myrmecochorous plants. Diaspore dispersal by ants is especially relevant in the current scenario of declining of vertebrate populations and, consequently, collapse of the dispersal system of large-seeded plants. Although ants can never compensate for the dispersal service provided by vertebrates, they can mitigate the impact of vertebrate decline via removal of diaspores deposited on the ground. We have used a meta-analytical approach to investigate the contribution of ants in the removal of non-myrmecochorous diaspores (through vertebrate exclusion experiments). We considered the number of diaspore removal as effect size and factors such as plant growth forms, diaspore and ant size, habitat type as moderators. In addition, we investigated the role of such factors on the diaspore removal distance by ants. Ants played complementary role to non-myrmecochorous diaspore removal services provided by vertebrates (mean Hedges’ g of −0.30). The ant diaspore removal was 69% higher for diaspores from shrubs than that of tree diaspores and removal of small-sized diaspores were 69% and 70% higher in comparison to medium- and large-sized diaspores, respectively. Regarding the diaspore removal distance by ants, those of tree species were removed 32% farther than those of shrub species, and diaspores were removed three- times farther in the savanna than in rainforest ecosystems. Our results highlight the shrubs and small-sized diaspores. Regarding the diaspore removal distance, the ants can be crucial for the dispersal of tree diaspores and in the savanna ecosystems. Finally, considering the biodiversity crisis, the ants may play an even more important role than appreciated in diaspores dispersal.     

Diversity, dispersal and biogeography of bryophytes (mosses)

Bryophytes disperse by small unicellular spores between 7 μm und usually less than 100 μm. A large percentage of species is sterile and propagates vegetatively either by special brood bodies or fragments of whole plants. It is shown that there is no difference in the effectiveness between generative and vegetative propagation. Size and weight of the diaspores suggest that both must easily be dispersed and the species must therefore have wide ranges. This does, however, not result in ubiquitous occurrence. This is only true for part of the species. Many, even sterile species show wide transcontinental ranges. On the other hand, there are many examples of limited to very limited distribution in spite of a rich production of diaspores. These are explained by narrow ecological niches, age of taxa, local extinction or historical events such as ice ages. Conspicuously, species can loose the ability for dispersal for unknown (perhaps genetic) reasons, which may ultimately lead to extinction. Special Issue: Protist diversity and geographic distribution. Guest editor: W. Foissner.     

Seed dispersal by ungulates as an ecological filter: a trait‐based meta‐analysis

Plant communities are often dispersal‐limited and zoochory can be an efficient mechanism for plants to colonize new patches of potentially suitable habitat. We predicted that seed dispersal by ungulates acts as an ecological filter – which differentially affects individuals according to their characteristics and shapes species assemblages – and that the filter varies according to the dispersal mechanism (endozoochory, fur‐epizoochory and hoof‐epizoochory). We conducted two‐step individual participant data meta‐analyses of 52 studies on plant dispersal by ungulates in fragmented landscapes, comparing eight plant traits and two habitat indicators between dispersed and non‐dispersed plants. We found that ungulates dispersed at least 44% of the available plant species. Moreover, some plant traits and habitat indicators increased the likelihood for plant of being dispersed. Persistent or nitrophilous plant species from open habitats or bearing dry or elongated diaspores were more likely to be dispersed by ungulates, whatever the dispersal mechanism. In addition, endozoochory was more likely for diaspores bearing elongated appendages whereas epizoochory was more likely for diaspores released relatively high in vegetation. Hoof‐epizoochory was more likely for light diaspores without hooked appendages. Fur‐epizoochory was more likely for diaspores with appendages, particularly elongated or hooked ones. We thus observed a gradient of filtering effect among the three dispersal mechanisms. Endozoochory had an effect of rather weak intensity (impacting six plant characteristics with variations between ungulate‐dispersed and non‐dispersed plant species mostly below 25%), whereas hoof‐epizoochory had a stronger effect (eight characteristics included five ones with above 75% variation), and fur‐epizoochory an even stronger one (nine characteristics included six ones with above 75% variation). Our results demonstrate that seed dispersal by ungulates is an ecological filter whose intensity varies according to the dispersal mechanism considered. Ungulates can thus play a key role in plant community dynamics and have implications for plant spatial distribution patterns at multiple scales. Synthesis Plant communities are often dispersal‐limited and zoochory can be an efficient mechanism for plants to colonize new patches of potentially suitable habitat. Our analysis is the first synthesis of ungulate seed dispersal that compares characteristics from both non‐dispersed and dispersed diaspores, distinguishing the three zoochory mechanisms ungulates are involved in: endozoochory, hoof‐epizoochory and fur‐epizoochory. We confirmed that seed dispersal by ungulates is an ecological filter whose intensity increases from endozoochory, then hoof‐epizoochory to finally fur‐epizoochory. By filtering seed traits through dispersal, ungulates can thus play a key role in plant community dynamics and have implications for plant spatial distribution patterns at multiple scales.     

Species,Diaspore Volume and Body Mass Matter in Gastropod Seed Feeding Behavior

Background

Seed dispersal of ant-dispersed plants (myrmecochores) is a well studied ecosystem function. Recently, slugs have been found to act as seed dispersers of myrmecochores. The aim of our study was to (1) further generalize the finding that gastropods feed on seeds of myrmecochores and hence may act as seed dispersers, (2) to test whether gastropod body mass and the volume of diaspores have an influence on the seed dispersal potential.

Methodology and Principal Findings

We assessed the seed dispersal potential of four slug and snail species with a set of seven myrmecochorous plant species from seven different plant families common to Central European beech forests. Diaspores differed in shape and size. Gastropods differed in their readiness to feed on diaspores and in the proportion of seeds that were swallowed as a whole, and this readiness generally decreased with increasing diaspore size. Smaller Arionid slugs (58 mm body length; mean) mostly fed on the elaiosome but also swallowed small diaspores and therefore not only act as elaiosome consumers, a nutrient rich appendage on myrmecochorous diaspores, but may also disperse seeds. Large Arionid slugs (>100 mm body length) swallowed diaspores of all sizes. Diaspores swallowed by gastropods were defecated without damage. Within-species variability in body size also affect seed dispersal potential, as larger individuals of the red slug (Arion rufus) swallowed more diaspores of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) than smaller ones.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results help to generalize the finding that gastropods consume and potentially disperse seeds of myrmecochores. The dispersal potential of gastropods is strongly influenced by diaspore size in relation to gastropod size.