Abstract
Seed dispersal is an essential process to maintain the viability of plant populations, and understanding this ecological process allows management strategies to be developed to conserve ecosystems. European Union priority habitat 5220* is defined as “Mediterranean arborescent shrubland with Ziziphus lotus” and it represents a favorable microclimate within the severe climatic conditions typical of the semiarid south-eastern region of the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, the study of seed dispersal in this priority habitat by different frugivorous guilds, is a challenge for its conservation. In this study, we have characterized a mutualistic network of seed dispersal that is mediated by vertebrates (mammals and birds) in the protected habitat 5220*. The aims of this study were to: (i) identify the seed disperser community; (ii) analyze the relative role of key species in the dispersal process; and (iii) compare the functional ecology of the seed dispersal process between mammals and birds. As such, we collected animal faeces to determine seed dispersers taxonomy, identifying the mammals through the visual aspect of the faeces and the birds by DNA barcoding. In the case of birds, we also collected regurgitated seeds in which the disperser species was also identified through molecular techniques. This allowed us to build-up a mutualistic network and to identify the relative role of these animals in seed dispersal. Our results showed that mammals and birds fulfilled complementary roles in seed dispersal, with birds representing the main dispersers of key plants within the 5220* habitat, and mammals the main dispersers of human-cultivated plants. Herein, we provide a useful approach with relevant information that can be used to propose management policies that focus on restoring the threatened 5220* habitat, promoting the role of birds to disperse key species that structure plant communities of this priority habitat.
Highlights
Seed dispersal is an essential ecological process in the viability of plant populations, since it enables the mobilization of seeds from the parental plants toward sites where they can germinate and establish (Howe & Smallwood, 1982)
Four types of priority habitat of community interest can be found in this protected area: 5220Ã (Mediterranean arborescent shrubland with Z. lotus), 1510Ã (Mediterranean salt steppes), 6110Ã (Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi) and 6120Ã (Xeric sand calcareous grasslands) (Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia, 2005)
A large number of these Ibero-African plant species are fleshy-fruited shrubs of tropical or subtropical origin, considered relics of the wetter past climatic conditions (e.g. Z. lotus, Periploca angustifolia Labill., Lycium intricatum Boiss., Maytenus senegalensis, Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy. and Pistacia lentiscus L.) (Sánchez-Gómez & Guerra, 2003)
Summary
Seed dispersal is an essential ecological process in the viability of plant populations, since it enables the mobilization of seeds from the parental plants toward sites where they can germinate and establish (Howe & Smallwood, 1982). The vulnerability of many ecosystems has been enhanced because of anthropic activities and natural phenomena (Cardinale et al, 2012; Newbold et al, 2015, 2016), as well as due to environmental effects like climate change (Ruxton & Schaefer, 2012). These disturbances often disrupt the functioning of ecosystems, including processes such as pollination and seed dispersal, which could provoke the local extinction of some species (Traveset, González-Varo & Valido, 2012). Studying the complex plant-animal interactions that may drive seed dispersal is crucial to assess ecosystem services and their integrity (Harvey et al, 2017)
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