Re-established mutualism in a seed-dispersal system consisting of native and introduced birds and plants on the Bonin Islands,Japan |
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Authors: | Kazuto Kawakami Leiko Mizusawa Hiroyoshi Higuchi |
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Institution: | (1) Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan;(2) Laboratory of Geographical Ecology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi Chiba, 274-8510, Japan;(3) Laboratory of Biodiversity Science, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan |
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Abstract: | The disruption of plant–animal interactions such as seed dispersal is one of the most critical effects of biological invasions.
To understand the role of introduced species in current seed-dispersal systems, we conducted fecal analyses of the most common
resident land birds on the Bonin Islands, Japan, and estimated their relative importance as seed-dispersal agents. Two native
birds, the brown-eared bulbul and the Bonin Islands white-eye, and the introduced Japanese white-eye were the primary seed
dispersers in secondary forest sites. Because the seed species composition in the feces of native and introduced white-eyes
was similar, the latter may be replacing the former as a seed-dispersal agent. Introduced plants did not decrease the number
of seed-dispersal opportunities for native species through competition for seed dispersers. Because some bird species have
already become extinct on the Bonin Islands, their ecological functions may also have been permanently lost; however, the
introduced white-eye may be compensating for this loss of function. In addition, new mutualistic relationships involving native
and introduced birds and plants have already been established. In order to control introduced species while having the least
impact on the native biota, interspecific interactions must be thoroughly understood before initiating control efforts. |
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Keywords: | Bonin Islands Introduced species Mutualism Oceanic islands Seed dispersal |
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