Primate seed dispersal leaves spatial genetic imprint throughout subsequent life stages of the Neotropical tree Parkia panurensis

Ronald Bialozyt,Pedro Pablo Pinedo Saboya,Kathrin Luettmann,Inga M Michalczyk,Eckhard W Heymann,Birgit Ziegenhagen

doi:10.1007/s00468-014-1061-7

Abstract

Key message The Neotropical tree Parkia panurensis shows a spatial genetic structure from the seed to the adult stage that is most likely the outcome of the seed dispersal provided by primates. Seed dispersal and pollination determine the gene flow within plant populations. In addition, seed dispersal creates the template for subsequent stages of plant recruitment. Therefore, the question arises whether and how seed dispersal affects the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of plant populations. In this study, we used microsatellites to analyse the SGS of the Neotropical tree Parkia panurensis (Fabaceae). This plant species is a major food resource for primates and its seeds are mainly dispersed by primates. Seeds were collected during behavioural observations of a tamarin mixed-species troop in north-eastern Peru. Additionally, leaf samples of juveniles and of adults trees of this species were collected throughout the home range of the tamarin troop. A significant SGS for embryos (located within the dispersed seeds) and for non-reproductive plants are found up to a distance of 300 m. This matches the distance within which most seeds are dispersed. In the adult stage, the scale of a significant SGS is reduced to 100 m. While we cannot explain this scale reduction, our study provides the first evidence that primate seed dispersal does influence the SGS of a tropical tree species.

Highlights

The seed shadow created through primary seed dispersal provides the spatial template for subsequent processes like secondary seed dispersal, seedling establishment, etc., that take place during the ‘‘seed dispersal loop’’ (Wang and Smith 2002) and may influence the population dynamics of a plant species (Nathan and Muller-Landau 2000; Jordano and Godoy 2002)
Key message The Neotropical tree Parkia panurensis shows a spatial genetic structure from the seed to the adult stage that is most likely the outcome of the seed dispersal provided by primates
While we cannot explain this scale reduction, our study provides the first evidence that primate seed dispersal does influence the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of a tropical tree species

Summary

Introduction

The seed shadow created through primary seed dispersal provides the spatial template for subsequent processes like secondary seed dispersal, seedling establishment, etc., that take place during the ‘‘seed dispersal loop’’ (Wang and Smith 2002) and may influence the population dynamics of a plant species (Nathan and Muller-Landau 2000; Jordano and Godoy 2002). The behaviour and the movement patterns of frugivores influence the shape and dimensions of the seed shadow (Jordano et al 2007; Karubian et al 2012; Russo et al 2006). This template ‘‘defines what is possible for the seedling recruitment in a given area’’ A multi-stage comparison of the SGS of Attalea phalerata showed a strong SGS amongst seedlings, but a much lower SGS at two juvenile stages and at the adult stage (Choo et al 2012), suggesting that the initially strong effect of seed dispersal does not continue into later stages

Methods

Results

Conclusion