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Abstract
The mechanisms which underpin passive dispersal (zoochory) of organisms (or propagules) by other, usually more mobile animals (vector species), are frequently poorly understood. While certain dispersal networks have received considerable scientific interest, basic questions concerning the relative importance of vector species, propagule survival, and likely dispersal distances, often remain unanswered. Here, we propose and apply a series of novel metrics, the Dispersal Potential (DP), the Relative Dispersal Potential (RDP) and the Combined Dispersal Potential (CDP), to predict and classify likely dispersal and vector importance. In essence, DP = Np × Tv, whereby Np is the per capita propagule load (e.g. mean, minimum, or maximum abundance) or species richness of propagules carried per individual vector species, while Tv is the total number of possible vectors (e.g. individuals of a single species at a source site, local scale abundances, or entire continental populations). Further, the ratio based metric RDP allows for DP comparison between species, while the CDP accumulates the DP of a variety of vector species. An additional Relative CDP (RCDP) metric facilitates comparison between the CDP for multiple vectors to that of one or more additional vectors. The proposed metrics can also be used to assess intraspecific differences (e.g. ontogeny or reproductive status). Accordingly, we examine a variety of case studies and present calculations to ascertain the usefulness of our proposed metrics. Finally, we argue that adoption of these metrics and variants thereof, will enhance understanding of zoochory within and across dispersal networks.
Highlights
Dispersal is an essential ecological process which impacts biodiversity through metacommunity and population dynamics across multiple spatial scales (Leibold et al, 2004; Shurin et al, 2009; Moritz et al, 2013)
Firstly, we propose that the basic Dispersal Potential (DP) of any vector species can be calculated as: DP = Np × Tv whereby, Np is the per capita propagule load recovered from a disperser, such as the mean, minimum, or maximum number propagules carried per individual vector species
Similar to the concept of Relative Dispersal Potential (RDP), we suggest that a ratio-based metric to facilitate comparison of the Combined Dispersal Potential (CDP) for multiple vectors to that of one or more others is worthwhile
Summary
Dispersal is an essential ecological process which impacts biodiversity through metacommunity and population dynamics across multiple spatial scales (Leibold et al, 2004; Shurin et al, 2009; Moritz et al, 2013). If propagules capable of surviving vector-mediated dispersal are considered as an acquirable resource, the ecological concepts of IP and RIP can be further developed to decipher, compare and contrast the functional role, relative importance, and the spatial and temporal dispersal parameters of different vector species. Examination of DP for Daphnia resting eggs in relation to all waterbird species sampled at site one, while retaining our assumption of bird numbers, i.e., one fifth of all birds present were sampled for each species, allows the importance of the vectors to be ranked: A. undulata > A. aegyptiaca > white-faced duck, Dendrocygna viduata > spur winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis > red-billed teal, A. erythrorhyncha (DP scores: 75; 60; 20; 5; 0, respectively).
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