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The article discusses the need for improved monitoring of plants and pollinators in response to the challenges posed by pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. The current methods of collecting occurrence data are limited in their ability to detect short-term trends and monitor conservation efforts. The symposium held in Paris aimed to assess existing monitoring schemes, identify gaps, and propose guidelines for improvement. The article emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts, technological innovations, and international collaboration in monitoring and conserving plant and pollinator populations. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Broussonetia papyrifera is a dioecious plant that is rich in various metabolites and widely distribute in Asia. Microtus fortis is a rodent that often causes damage to crops, especially in the Dongting Lake region of China. There is a wide overlap in the distribution areas for the above species and the M. fortis feeds on the leaves of the B. papyrifera. Preliminary experiments have shown that the reproduction of M. fortis is inhibited after feeding on the leaves of the B. papyrifera. Methods: In order to explore the potential of using B. papyrifera to develop botanical pesticides, we investigated the palatability and reactive substances. The feeding frequency of M. fortis on B. papyrifera leaves to that of on daily fodder and Carex brevicuspis that is the primary food for the wild population were compared. We also attempted to identify the responsive substances in B. papyrifera leaves that were bitten by M. fortis using metabolome analysis. Results: In general, B. papyrifera leaves exhibited a stronger attraction to M. fortis. M. fortis foraged B. papyrifera leaves more frequently, and the intake was higher than that of the other two. Differential metabolites were screened by comparing normal leaves and leaves bitten by M. fortis, meanwhile with the intervention of clipped leaves. A total of 269 substances were screened, and many of these were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and alkaloids. These substances may be related to the defense mechanism of B. papyrifera against herbivores. Discussion: These findings support further research examining animal-plant interactions and simultaneously provide insights into the utilisation of B. papyrifera resources and the management of rodents. The good palatability and the defense of B. papyrifera leaves suggest that they have the potential to contribute in development of plant rodenticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of different rodent communities on seed dispersal in desert areas. The study focuses on three rodent species in Inner Mongolia, China, and analyzes their seed predation and hoarding behaviors. The researchers found that each rodent community disperses seeds differently, and the selection and use of plant seeds vary among the communities. The study emphasizes the importance of considering seed traits and differences in seed preferences among rodent species in understanding seed dispersal. The findings suggest that the collective effect of seed dispersal by multiple rodent species contributes to the distribution of vegetation in desert regions. The article discusses the interactions between rodents and plants, highlighting the significance of these interactions for conservation and ecosystem management. [Extracted from the article]

A critical and common, but much ignored, plant-animal interaction is primary seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory). Ants are ubiquitous across many landscapes, so it may not be surprising that many plants have evolved to utilize them to move their seeds. In fact, myrmecochory has independently evolved over 100 times. Myrmecochory carries all the usual benefits of biotic seed dispersal, such as reduction of competition with siblings, as well as a few more (notably, escape from fire). Seeds dispersed by ants generally possess an attached food body (elaiosome), which attracts and rewards ants. Elaiosomes are commonly described as fat bodies comprising lipids. However, their nutritional and chemical composition can vary widely, with some plant species producing elaiosomes with higher concentrations of protein or carbohydrates than of lipids. Elaiosomes of even quite closely related plant species can vary in chemical composition. Once ants encounter a seed with an elaiosome, they generally return to the nest with that seed, remove the elaiosome, and consume it, although which individuals within the nest consume the elaiosome is in many cases unclear. Once the elaiosomes have been removed, seeds are then disposed of either within the nest or outside of the nest, where they can be potentially secondarily dispersed by wind, water, or animals, including other ant species. This primer will focus on primary dispersal, the initial movement of seeds away from a parent plant. This primer defines myrmecochory, provides an overview of elaiosome traits, summarizes how ants choose and interact with elaiosome-bearing seeds, describes the current understanding of how elaiosomes evolved, and touches on how ant seed dispersal may respond to anthropogenic changes, such as the introduction of invasive species and climate change. This primer is guided by five major questions: (i) What is seed dispersal and myrmecochory? (ii) What are the benefits of myrmecochory? (iii) What is an elaiosome? (iv) How do ants choose and interact with seeds? (v) How did elaiosomes and myrmecochory evolve? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species used in urban horticulture are frequently non-native despite evidence that urban areas are regular points of introduction, often leading to invasions and negative impacts on biodiversity. Many horticulturalists assert that non-native plants are more successful and provide equal or greater habitat and ecosystem services than native plants. However, little research has compared native and non-native plants in urban systems. We present here a systematic literature review, using the PRISMA methodology, to assess three questions: (1) Is there a difference between native and non-native plants in their ability to support faunal biodiversity in urban green spaces? (2) Is there a difference between native and non-native plants in their provisioning of urban ecosystem services? 3)Do non-native species outperform natives in urban environments in terms of survival, growth, and fitness? We extracted data from 165 total papers. One hundred and twenty studies found that native plants outperform non-native plants on the response metric evaluated in the study, 57 demonstrated mixed impacts, 56 demonstrated no differences among plant origin, and 26 found non-native plants outperformed native plants. We found overwhelming evidence that native plants support higher faunal abundance and diversity than non-native plants in urban landscapes. Relatively few studies examined ecosystem services and plant performance, but we found that native plants support higher levels and diversity of ecosystem services and that many native plants can be used for horticulture, that is, they will survive and thrive in urban conditions. Native plants provide multiple ecosystem functions in urban greenspaces, supporting urban biodiversity and provisioning ecosystem services than non-native plant species and should be prioritized in urban horticulture activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mutually beneficial coevolutionary relationships between rodents and plant seeds have been a theme of research in plant-animal relationships. Seed tannins are important secondary metabolites of plants that regulate the food-hoarding behavior of rodents; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. In this study, we investigated whether and how seed tannins improve spatial memory and regulate the hoarding behavior of Tamias sibiricus by altering their gut microbiota. Results: We showed that acorn tannins not only improved spatial memory but also enhanced scatter-hoarding in T. sibiricus. Changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota in response to tannins from acorns are closely related to these improvements. Metabonomic analyses revealed the role of gut isovaleric acid and isobutyric acid as well as serum L-tryptophan in mediating the spatial memory of T. sibiricus via the gut microbiota. The hippocampal proteome provides further evidence that the microbiota-gut-brain axis regulates spatial memory and scatter-hoarding in animals. Our study is likely the first to report that plant secondary metabolites improve hippocampal function and spatial memory and ultimately modulate food-hoarding behavior via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Conclusion: Our findings may have resolved the long-standing puzzle about the hidden role of plant secondary metabolites in manipulating food-hoarding behavior in rodents via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Our study is important for better understanding the mutualistic coevolution between plants and animals. -v6UxNpVaqDZi2u857Rxwn Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Grassland-livestock balance is an important principle of sustainable development of grassland livestock production and grassland ecosystem health. Grassland degradation becomes more serious at global scales and especially at the area that is sensitive to climate change and human activities. Decreases in pasture biomass and shifts in plant community composition in degraded grasslands can largely affect grazing behaviors of livestock. Up to date, however, it is unclear that whether livestock behaviors change across spatial and temporal scales and what key factors are to shape observed behavioral patterns of livestock. Methods: Here, yak behaviors including grazing, rumination and walking on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) were monitored by a continuous visual observation, to investigate temporal and spatial variations of grazing behavior of yaks (Bos grunniens); based on the data from public database in the past 18 years, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine the main factors that affect grazing behaviors and intake of yaks. Results: We showed that grazing behaviors of yaks differed significantly within hours, among hours of each day and among days as well as across different observation sites. Intake rate of yaks was higher in the morning than in the afternoon, but walking speed showed an inverse trend compared with intake rate. Resting, altitude, the mean annual precipitation (MAP), the mean annual temperature (MAT), forage ash, yak age and season were the main predictors for yak intake, and forage and yak individual characteristics had direct effects on grazing behaviors and intake of yaks. Discussion: The findings confirm that grazing behaviors of yaks can vary even at small temporal scales and regional scales, which is closely related to the shift in forage quality and biomass caused by environmental changes. The study suggests that multiple factors can be responsible for the variation in livestock behaviors and shifts in behavioral patterns may consequently lead to positive or negative feedback to grassland ecosystems through plant-animal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the intricate web of plant–animal interactions, granivore birds can play a dual antagonist–mutualist role as seed predators and dispersers. This study delves into the ecological significance of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) as seed disperser by endozoochory. A sample of individual droppings and faecal pools were collected from a communal roost in central Spain to examine the presence of seeds. Seed viability was determined using the tetrazolium test. Our findings revealed that around 22% of the analysed droppings contained seeds, contradicting the prevalent notion of house sparrow solely as seed predator. Viability tests demonstrated that 53.9% of the defecated seeds were viable, although it varied between plant species, including those from fleshy‐fruited common fig and five species of dry‐fruited herbs. This study challenges the traditional perspectives on the ecological role of the house sparrow, and glimpses on their contribution to seed dispersal. Understanding the nuanced roles of granivore species like the house sparrow is crucial for developing holistic conservation and management strategies in urban and agricultural landscapes. Future studies are encouraged to unravel the actual role of this cosmopolitan species as disperser of a likely broad spectrum of wild, cultivated and exotic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation and management of drylands is a global challenge. Key attributes of these ecosystems, such as dominant vegetation including shrubs, can provide a crucial mechanism to inform conservation strategies. The shrub species Ephedra californica and Larrea tridentata are common native shrub species within the deserts of California and frequently benefit other plant and animal species. Here, we tested the hypothesis that shrubs support reptile and amphibian communities through relative increases in available habitat, estimated through increasing shrub densities at the site level. Reported occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and high-resolution satellite images were used to test for local-to-regional patterns in reptile and amphibian distribution and diversity by shrub densities at sites. At 43 distinct sites, the relationship between shrub density and reported reptile and amphibian communities was also tested. A total of 71 reptile and amphibian species were reported regionally. Increases in shrub density across sites positively influenced the relative abundance and richness of reptiles and amphibians observed. Moreover, increasing shrub density also had a positive influence on species evenness. Aridity differences between sites did not significantly influence the relationship between shrub density and reptiles and amphibians suggesting that the relationship was robust. This study highlights the importance of foundational shrub species in supporting reptile and amphibian communities in arid and semi-arid regions. Large-scale patterns of biodiversity in deserts can be supported by positive plant-animal interactions including small islands of fertility and resources for animals in the context of a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical forests, about 60%–80% of woody plant species depend on animal–plant interactions for dispersal. The dependence on animal species for dispersal makes this interaction very fragile in the face of anthropogenic changes in land use. Disrupting seed‐dispersal processes, principally zoochoric dispersal, could significantly alter the long‐term carbon storage potential of tropical forests.An important question is how landscape structure changes tree carbon stocks in different types of tropical vegetation and how variation is mediated by the dispersal mode of animal (zoochoric) or abiotic (non‐zoochoric) seeds.We focused on tree plots at 126 sites in Brazil spanning four types of forest and savanna vegetation, and calculated carbon stored in zoochoric, non‐zoochoric, and large frugivore‐dispersed species.Our results showed that carbon stocks in zoochoric species and non‐zoochoric species differ significantly among vegetation types, with rainforests having higher stocks in zoochoric species and deciduous seasonally dry tropical forests having higher values in non‐zoochoric species. A greater area of native vegetation promotes higher proportions of carbon stocks dispersed by large frugivore species, whereas a higher mean shape index reduces this proportion.Synthesis. This study highlights that seed‐dispersal type underpins the variation in carbon stocks between vegetation types and that the maintenance of habitat of large dispersers and connectivity are key for retaining carbon stocks in zoochoric species, particularly in rainforest and cerrado sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature is aglow with numerous captivating examples of UV-fluorescence in the animal kingdom. Despite a putative role as a visual signal, exploration of UV-fluorescence in plants and its role in plant-animal interactions is lagging in comparison. Almost 50 years ago, UV-fluorescence of floral nectar, a crucial reward for pollinators, was reported for 23 flowering plant species. Since this intriguing discovery, UV-fluorescent nectar has only seldom been addressed in the scientific literature and has not been scrutinized in a phylogenetic or ecological context. Here, we report the prevalence of vibrant UV-fluorescent floral nectar across the family Cleomaceae, including the first photographic documentation in vivo colour for flowering plants. Though Cleomaceae flowers are morphologically diverse varying in colour, nectary prominence, and nectar volume, UV-fluorescent floral nectar may be a ubiquitous characteristic of the family. Fluorescence spectra show that the identity and number of fluorescent compounds in floral nectar may differ among Cleomaceae species. As Cleomaceae pollinators range from insects to bats and birds, we suggest that the UV-fluorescent floral nectar not only functions as a visual cue for the diurnal pollinators but also for the nocturnal/crepuscular pollinators in low light settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant–herbivore interactions reciprocally influence species' evolutionary trajectories. These interactions have led to many physical and chemical defenses across the plant kingdom. Some plants have even evolved indirect defense strategies to outsource their protection to ant bodyguards by bribing them with a sugary reward (nectar). Identifying the evolutionary processes underpinning these indirect defenses provide insight into the evolution of plant-animal interactions. Using a cross-kingdom, phylogenetic approach, we examined the convergent evolution of ant-guarding nectaries across ferns and flowering plants. Here, we discover that nectaries originated in ferns and flowering plants concurrently during the Cretaceous, coinciding with the rise of plant associations in ants. While nectaries in flowering plants evolved steadily through time, ferns showed a pronounced lag of nearly 100 My between their origin and subsequent diversification in the Cenozoic. Importantly, we find that as ferns transitioned from the forest floor into the canopy, they secondarily recruited ant bodyguards from existing ant-angiosperm relationships. Some plants use nectar to attract ant bodyguards. Here, the authors use a cross-kingdom phylogenetic approach to find that ferns and angiosperms evolved nectaries in the Cretaceous, coinciding with ant evolution, and that ferns recruited ant-bodyguards from existing ant-angiosperm partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diel activity is one main feature of animal's behavior and is often an intrinsic trait characterizing distinct taxonomic groups. Abiotic conditions such as temperature may influence the diel activity patterns of arthropod communities associated with a particular ecosystem or habitat. Similarly, biotic factors, such as resource availability, affect arthropod activity. In addition, diel activity is thought to be an important factor in niche partitioning of arthropod communities. As part of a larger beetle survey in a lowland tropical rainforest in southern Venezuela, I analyzed the diel activity of an arboreal beetle community collected from 23 canopy-tree species over a cumulative year. Diel activity was observed in 535 beetle species, comprising 5,948 individuals, using a canopy crane installed in the study area. Of the 535 beetle species, 198 (37%) showed diurnal activity, and 281 (52.5%) showed nocturnal activity. In contrast, the proportions of nocturnal (n = 2,024, 34%) and diurnal (n = 1,983, 33.3%) individuals were balanced. Most of the observed beetles occurred only during the activity phase in their host trees. This particularly applies to extrafloral nectary- and flower-visiting beetle species. Flowering trees attracted different proportions of diurnal and nocturnal species according to flowering syndrome, whereas extrafloral nectaries were mainly visited at night. Thus, the beetle communities associated with single tree species showed distinct compositions of nocturnal and diurnal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologists have long recognized that seed dispersal mutualisms trigger natural regeneration and range expansion of animal‐dispersed trees. Yet we lack empirical studies addressing whether frugivore activity influences founder effects, which reduce genetic diversity at the colonization front of expanding populations.Here, we evaluate the contribution, from both demographic and genetic perspectives, of animal frugivores dispersing seeds across an expansion gradient. We used DNA barcoding for frugivores identification and highly polymorphic genetic markers (SSRs) for maternal analysis of juniper seeds to investigate how (1) stand maturity, (2) microhabitat types and (3) foraging patterns shape the distribution of the maternal progenies along this gradient.We expect both reduced seed rain density and low numbers of source trees contributing to the seed rain at the colonization front, with limited availability of local fruiting trees. We also anticipated that large‐sized frugivore species would promote maternally rich seed rain due to their ability to mix seed progenies during digestive processing and move further distances across the landscape.Contrary to our expectations, we found that all identified frugivores produced dense and genetically diverse seed rains across the expansion gradient, even at the colonization front, characterized by scarce fruiting trees.Synthesis: Our findings shed light on the fundamental and applied implications of plant–frugivore interactions in shaping highly diverse second‐growth forests. These results emphasize the necessity of preserving plant–animal mutualistic interactions to ensure the persistence and expansion of natural tree populations, particularly in formerly fragmented landscapes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although herbivores are well known to incur positive density‐dependent damage and mortality, thereby likely shaping plant community assembly, the response of belowground root feeders to changes in plant density has seldom been addressed. Locally rare plant species (with lower plant biomass per area) are often smaller with shallower roots than common species (with higher plant biomass per area) in competition‐intensive grasslands. Likewise, root feeders are often distributed in the upper soil layers. We hypothesized, therefore, that root feeders would incur negative density (biomass)‐dependent damage across plant species. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the diversity and abundance of plant and root feeder species in an alpine meadow and determined the diet of the root feeders using metabarcoding. Across all species, root feeder load decreased with increasing aboveground plant biomass, root biomass, and total plant biomass per area, indicating a negative density dependence of damage across plant species. Aboveground plant biomass per area increased with increasing individual plant biomass and root depth per area across species, suggesting that rare plant species were smaller in size and had shallower root systems compared to common plant species. Both root biomass per area and root feeder biomass per area decreased with soil depth, but the root feeder biomass decreased disproportionately faster compared to root biomass with increasing root depth. Root feeder load decreased with increasing root depth but was not correlated with the feeding preference of root feeder species. Moreover, the prediction derived from a random process incorporating vertical distributions of root biomass and root feeder biomass significantly accounted for interspecific variation in root feeder load. In conclusion, the data indicate that root feeders incur negative density‐dependent damage across plant species. On this basis, we suggest that manipulative experiments should be conducted to determine the effect of the negative density‐dependent damage on plant community structure and that different types of plant–animal interactions should be concurrently examined to fully understand the effect of plant density on overall herbivore damage across plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification, afforestation and land abandonment are major drivers of biodiversity loss in semi‐natural grasslands across Europe. Reversing these losses requires the reinstatement of plant–animal interactions such as pollination. Here we assessed the differences in species composition and patterns of plant‐pollinator interactions in ancient and restored grasslands and how these patterns are influenced by landscape connectivity, across three European regions (Belgium, Germany and Sweden).We evaluated the differences in pollinator community assemblage, abundance and interaction network structure between 24 ancient and restored grasslands. We then assessed the effect of surrounding landscape functional connectivity (i.e. green infrastructure, GI) on these variables and tested possible consequences on the reproduction of two model plants, Lotus corniculatus and Salvia pratensis.Neither pollinator richness nor species composition differed between ancient and restored grasslands. A high turnover of interactions across grasslands was detected but was mainly due to replacement of pollinator and plant species. The impact of grassland restoration was consistent across various pollinator functional groups, whereas the surrounding GI had differential effects. Notably, bees, butterflies, beetles, and dipterans (excluding hoverflies) exhibited the most significant responses to GI variations. Interestingly, networks in restored grasslands were more specialised (i.e. less functionally redundant) than in ancient ones and also showed a higher number of insect visits to habitat‐generalist plant species. Landscape connectivity had a similar effect, with habitat‐specialist plant species receiving fewer visits at higher GI values.Fruit set in S. pratensis and L. corniculatus was unaffected by grassland type or GI. However, the fruit set in the specialist S. pratensis increased with the number of pollinator visits, indicating a positive correlation between pollinator activity and reproductive success in this particular species.Synthesis and applications. Our findings provide evidence of the necessity to enhance ecosystem functions while avoiding biotic homogenisation. Restoration programs should aim at increasing landscape connectivity which influences plant communities, pollinator assemblages and their interaction patterns. To avoid generalist species taking over from specialists in restored grasslands, we suggest reinforcing the presence of specialist species in the latter, for instance by means of introductions, as well as increasing the connectivity to source populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a book review of "Wildlife Management and Conservation: Contemporary Principles and Practices (2nd edition)" by Paul R. Krausman and James W. Cain III. The book, endorsed by The Wildlife Society, addresses the changing science and challenges in wildlife management. It includes 20 chapters written by 46 leaders in the field, covering topics such as wildlife populations, human dimensions, decision making, wildlife diseases, hunting and trapping, plant-animal interactions, habitat, wildlife restoration, climate change, conservation planning, and managing populations. The book provides a comprehensive overview of wildlife management and is a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field. [Extracted from the article]

The consequences of plant–animal interactions often transcend the mere encounter stage, as those encounters are followed by a chain of subsequent stages on the plant's reproductive cycle that ultimately determine fitness. Yet, the dissemination and recruitment stages of animal‐mediated seed dispersal are seldom analysed jointly, hindering a full understanding of the ecology of seed dispersal.We analyse the dispersal and recruitment of a fleshy‐fruited plant (Pistacia lentiscus), from fruit production to seedling survival up to their second year. We link early reproductive investment of individual plants to seedling recruitment and explore the role played by seed viability, the coterie of frugivores and microhabitat seed deposition.The proportion of viable seeds was generally low (mean = 34%) but highly variable among individual plants (range: 0%–95%). Seed viability did not seem to have a direct effect on individual plant's recruitment.We recorded 28 bird species feeding on P. lentiscus fruits or seeds. Their contribution to plant recruitment was mainly determined by their intensity of fruit consumption and probability to disperse viable seeds. Most frugivores presented non‐random microhabitat preferences, delivering uneven seed contributions to different sites.Post‐dispersal seed predation by rodents was the most limiting phase in P. lentiscus recruitment. Yet, microhabitats showing the lowest predation rates received the lowest seed rain. Hence, we found a decoupling of the dissemination and recruitment stages: most seeds do not arrive at the most suitable microhabitats.We estimate P. lentiscus plants need to produce c. 5 × 105 fruits to recruit a single seedling that survives to its second summer in our study site. Its success as a prevalent species in Mediterranean lowland landscapes relies on its high fecundity and thorough fruit removal and dispersal by a diversified frugivore assemblage, which compensates for the high seed unviability characteristic of this genus.Synthesis: Measuring the delayed, post‐dispersal outcomes of animal frugivory interactions may overturn inferences based on consumption observations only. Seed rain patterns are often decoupled from microhabitats' suitability for seedling recruitment. Hence, more integrative studies that encompass the entire plant reproductive cycle (from fruit production to seedling recruitment) are needed to fully understand frugivores' lasting contribution to plant regeneration in natural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florivores consume floral structures with negative effects on plant fitness and pollinator attraction. Several studies have evaluated these consequences in hermaphroditic plants, but little is known about the effects on monoecious and dioecious species. We characterize the florivory and its effects on floral visitors and reproductive success in a monoecious population of Sagittaria lancifolia. Five categories of florivory were established according to the petal area consumed. Visits were recorded in male and female flowers within the different damage categories. Reproductive success was evaluated through fruit number and weight, as well as the number of seeds per fruit. Our results show that the weevil Tanysphyrus lemnae is the main florivore, and it mainly damages the female flowers. Hymenoptera were recorded as the most frequent visitors of both male and female flowers. Male and female flowers showed differences in visit frequency, which decreases as flower damage increases. Reproductive success was negatively related to the level of damage. We found that florivory is common in the population of S. lancifolia, which can exert a strong selective pressure by making the flowers less attractive and reducing the number of seeds per fruit. Future studies are needed to know how florivores affect plant male fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most plants produce floral nectar to attract pollinators that impact pollination and seed production; some of them also secrete extrafloral nectar harvested by insects that may influence the plant reproductive success. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of excluding pollinators and/or ants on the per-plant reproductive success in two species (Dyckia floribunda Griseb. and Dyckia longipetala Baker, Bromeliaceae) that produce floral and extrafloral nectar. The hypothesis states that both ecological processes (pollination and ant defense) involving nectar-mediated animal–plant interactions are beneficial for plant reproductive success. We expected the highest decrease in the plant fruit and seed sets when the pollinators and ants were excluded, and a moderate decrease when solely ants were excluded, compared to the control plants (those exposed to pollinators and ants). In addition, a lower natural reproductive success was also expected in the self-incompatible D. longipetala than in the self-compatible D. floribunda, as the former totally depends on animal pollination for seed production. D. floribunda and D. longipetala presented similar trends in the response variables, and the expected results for the experimental treatments were observed, with some variations between species and among populations. The ecological function of nectar is important because these two plant species depend on pollinators to produce seeds and on ants to defend flowers from the endophytic larvae of Lepidoptera. The study of multispecies interactions through mechanistic experiments could be necessary to clarify the specific effects of different animals on plant reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal species, encompassing both pollinators and herbivores, exhibit a preference for plants based on optimal foraging theory. Understanding the intricacies of these adaptive plant-animal interactions in the context of community assembly poses a main challenge in ecology. This study delves into the impact of adaptive interaction rewiring between species belonging to different guilds on the structure and stability of a 3-guild ecological network, incorporating both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Our findings reveal that adaptive rewiring results in sub-networks becoming more nested and compartmentalized. Furthermore, the rewiring of interactions uncovers a positive correlation between a plant's generalism concerning both pollinators and herbivores. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between a plant's degree centrality and its energy budget. Although network stability does not exhibit a clear relationship with non-random structures, it is primarily influenced by the balance of multiple interaction strengths. In summary, our results underscore the significance of adaptive interaction rewiring in shaping the structure of 3-guild networks. They emphasize the importance of considering the balance of multiple interactions for the stability of adaptive networks, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of ecological communities. Based on optimal foraging theory, the study of adaptive networks suggests that interaction rewiring can shape the structure of 3-guild networks, incorporating both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed production and dispersal are crucial ecological processes impacting plant demography, species distributions and community assembly. Plant–animal interactions commonly mediate both seed production and seed dispersal, but current research often examines pollination and seed dispersal separately, which hinders our understanding of how pollination services affect downstream dispersal services. To fill this gap, we propose a conceptual framework exploring how pollen limitation can impact the effectiveness of seed dispersal for endozoochorous and myrmecochorous plant species. We summarize the quantitative and qualitative effects of pollen limitation on plant reproduction and use Optimal Foraging Theory to predict its impact on the foraging behaviour of seed dispersers. In doing so, we offer a new framework that poses numerous hypotheses and empirical tests to investigate links between pollen limitation and seed dispersal effectiveness and, consequently, post‐dispersal ecological processes occurring at different levels of biological organization. Finally, considering the importance of pollination and seed dispersal outcomes to plant eco‐evolutionary dynamics, we discussed the implications of our framework for future studies exploring the demographic and evolutionary impacts of pollen limitation for animal‐dispersed plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the growth of ecological science in South America, highlighting the increasing number of researchers and graduate courses dedicated to the topic. The special issue of Austral Ecology aims to promote South American ecological research internationally, featuring studies on a wide range of topics such as post-fire succession in forests, bee conservation in urban areas, and biodiversity research in Peru. The articles are bilingual and include video abstracts in Portuguese or Spanish with English subtitles to promote inclusion and accessibility. The research presented in this special issue provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between nature, people, and society in South America. [Extracted from the article]

Plant–animal interactions are pervasive in terrestrial ecosystems. They hold relevant ecological information for guiding biodiversity conservation and restoration practices. Despite plant–animal interactions being particularly sensitive to disturbance, the knowledge about how fire, a remarkable driver of changes in ecosystem structure and functioning, affects these relationships is still limited. In this sense, the assessment of how studies investigate the fire effects on plant–animal interactions through a systematic review proves to be relevant to guide future research agenda. In this study, we reviewed studies regarding the effects of fire on plant–animal interactions conducted in Brazil, which hosts many different fire‐prone and fire‐sensitive ecosystems and harbours several plant and animal species. Supported by an integrative database, we summarized the main goals, methodologies, and taxonomic groups used in studies addressing the effects of fire on plant–animal interactions and pointed out some shortfalls that future research should avoid and gaps that they shall fulfil. In sum, 39 studies published from 1995 to 2022 met our criteria of inclusion in the database. Most of them were conducted in Cerrado and mainly evaluated ant–plant or plant–pollinator interactions. In addition, studies were generally designed with inappropriate experimental approaches that commonly disregard relevant fire attributes that are important drivers of ecosystem structure and functioning. Altogether, our review shows that studies evaluating this topic present a geographic and taxonomic bias, which overlooks particular plant–animal interactions, and that we still have a superficial understanding of fire effects on plant–animal interactions in Brazilian ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The reproductive phenology of plants has profound influence on ecosystem dynamics including plant–animal interactions. Broad phenological patterns, especially the timing of reproduction, may result from long‐term climate trends and co‐evolution between plants and their pollinators, dispersers, and predators. Yet, interannual climate variation and local abiotic conditions may also affect the timing and magnitude of plant reproduction. Understanding the patterns of and controls on plant reproduction are crucial for conservation efforts under a changing global climate and rapidly expanding human development. However, phenology studies from the Neotropics are sparse. Here, we examine the relative timing and magnitude of fleshy‐fruited plant reproduction during the winter dry season in subtropical dry forest on Eleuthera, The Bahamas over a nine‐year period. At least 47 species were observed with some dry season reproductive activity, but only 17% showed evidence of a fruiting peak or continuous reproduction. Overall fruit abundance generally declined through the dry season, but flower production increased between mid and late dry season. Variation in fruit and flower abundance among years was related to temperature and rainfall, but local site conditions—particularly successional stage and groundwater availability—explained more variability in reproductive activity than climate variation. Groundwater availability had a particularly strong positive influence on flower and fruit abundance at the end of the dry season, a critical time for migrant frugivores preparing to return to their breeding grounds. This emphasizes the importance of protecting sites with accessible groundwater to conserve biodiversity in the archipelago and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of factors affect how much certain plants are eaten by herbivorous insects. In the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, Parnassius smintheus larvae have been described as virtually monophagous on Sedum lanceolatum, however a second host plant Rhodiola integrifolia is found in the region. We explore the differences in herbivory, larval performance, and oviposition between host plants. We also surveyed host plant abundance in the field to determine the amount of feeding damage on both species. In the lab, we found that there was no preference for feeding on S. lanceolatum versus R. integrifolia. The growth and survival of P. smintheus larvae also was not affected by the host plant. In the field we found much lower rates of herbivory on R. integrifolia than S. lanceolatum. We conclude that there are differences in herbivory observed in the field because P. smintheus larvae encounter R. integrifolia much less than S. lanceolatum. Possible mechanisms include the two host plants occurring in different microhabitats, P. smintheus females not ovipositing near R. integrifolia, or P. smintheus larvae not being able to detect R. integrifolia from a distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the relationship between climate, phytochemical diversity, and plant mycorrhizal types on global latitudinal patterns in leaf herbivory. The study challenges the latitudinal herbivory hypothesis, which suggests that insect herbivory rates decline with increasing latitudes. The researchers compiled a large dataset of herbivory rates, climatic factors, phytochemical diversity, and plant mycorrhizal types from published materials. They found that climate, particularly temperature and precipitation, had significant effects on herbivory and its latitudinal pattern. However, phytochemical diversity and plant mycorrhizal types did not have a significant impact on herbivory. The study suggests that climate plays a crucial role in shaping global patterns of plant-herbivore interactions. [Extracted from the article]

The experiment was carried out on three different vegetable crops, Cucumber Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae), eggplant Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae) and okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Malvaceae), during summer 2021, to investigate the effect of vegetation type on spider density and diversity. For this study, the pitfall trap method was used to collect spiders from the soil surface to ensure a comprehensive representation of all spider guilds. During this study, 20 species belonging to 6 families were collected. The results showed that a total of 374, 285 and 194 individuals belonging to 18, 17 and 15 species were recorded in okra, cucumber and eggplant fields respectively. Species diversity was greater in okra cultivation. Results also indicated that the Lycosidae family was the most abundant and dominant, representing 71.75%, followed by the Linyphiidae family of 90 individuals representing 10.55% of the whole obtained population. The most dominant species were Wadicosa fidelis 152, 98 and 67 individuals and Pardosa injucunda 111, 69 and 52 individuals in okra, cucumber and eggplant respectively. It is inferred from this study that the type of plant can have an impact on spider communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Western Ghats are home to one of the most dominant rock outcrops: the vertical basaltic cliffs. Although seemingly barren, this unique landform shelters a variety of species adapted to thrive in its challenging and nutrient-poor environment. This article examines the remarkable traits and adaptations of plant species living on cliffs, the microhabitats they inhabit, and the plant-animal interactions that take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Loss of biological connectivity increases the vulnerability of ecological dynamics, thereby affecting processes such as pollination. Therefore, it is important to understand the roles of the actors that participate in these interaction networks. Nonetheless, there is a significant oversight regarding the main actors in the pollination networks within the highly biodiverse forests of Colombia. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the interaction patterns of a network of potential pollinators that inhabit an Andean Forest in Totoró, Cauca, Colombia. Methods. The interactions between plants and potential pollinators were recorded through direct observation in 10 transects during six field trips conducted over the course of one year. Subsequently, an interaction matrix was developed, and network metrics such as connectance, specialization, nestedness, and asymmetry of interaction strength were evaluated by applying null models. An interpolation/extrapolation curve was calculated in order to assess the representativeness of the sample. Finally, the key species of the network were identified by considering degree (k), centrality, and betweenness centrality. Results. A total of 53 plant species and 52 potential pollinator species (including insects and birds) were recorded, with a sample coverage of 88.5%. Connectance (C = 0.19) and specialization (H2' = 0.19) were low, indicating a generalist network. Freziera canescens, Gaiadendron punctatum, Persea mutisii, Bombus rubicundus, Heliangelus exortis, Chironomus sp., and Metallura tyrianthina were identified as the key species that contribute to a more cohesive network structure. Discussion. The present study characterized the structure of the plant-pollinator network in a highly diverse Andean forest in Colombia. It is evident that insects are the largest group of pollinators; however, it is interesting to note that birds form a different module that specializes in pollinating a specific group of plants. On the other hand, the diversity and generality of the species found suggest that the network may be robust against chains of extinction. Nevertheless, the presence of certain introduced species, such as Apis mellifera, and the rapid changes in vegetation cover may affect the dynamics of this mutualistic network. So, it is imperative to apply restoration and conservation strategies to these ecosystems in order to enhance plant-animal interactions and prevent the loss of taxonomical and functional diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an editorial that focuses on the evolutionary ecology of plant defenses and herbivore interactions in tropical ecosystems. The authors highlight the importance of studying these interactions in the tropics, as they play a critical role in ecosystem functioning and have implications for every organism in these species-rich biomes. The editorial discusses the need for more research in this area, particularly in understanding the role of chemical defenses, host specialization, and interactions with the third trophic level. The authors also emphasize the importance of long-term studies and global change research to make reliable predictions about the future of these habitats. [Extracted from the article]

Interspecific ecological interactions are inherently context‐dependent. They may vary in both magnitude and sign depending on the biotic and abiotic conditions, depicting a mutualism–antagonism continuum. However, how population abundances and the activity of interacting species modulate these interactions remains underexplored. Here, we chose the interaction between the Mediterranean palm Chamaerops humilis and the feral goat Capra hircus in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). We selected three study plots with low, intermediate and high intensities of goat activity where we characterized palm distribution, seed rain, seed predation and early palm recruitment during two consecutive years. Since goats can cause both costs (e.g. florivory) and benefits (e.g. seed dispersal) to C. humilis performance, we investigated the following three questions: 1) does the spatial distribution of adult palms vary depending on the intensity of goat activity? 2) Does the intensity of goat activity influence seed rain and its potential spatial association with adult palms? 3) To what extent does the intensity of goat activity determine post‐dispersal events such as seed predation and seedling emergence? We found that adult palms showed a more clumped and complex distribution (double‐cluster process) in plots with low and intermediate goat activity compared to that with high goat activity (simple‐cluster process). In the low goat activity plot, dispersed seeds were spatially aggregated around adult palms, showing twice as much insect‐seed predation and nearly three times lower seed germination success than those in the intermediate goat activity plot. Palm seed dispersal and recruitment were almost nil in the high goat activity plot due to heavy consumption of palm inflorescences and developing fruits by goats. Our findings demonstrate how the net outcome of plant–animal interactions can change from mutualism to antagonism, from reproductive service to reproductive collapse, depending on the abundance and the activity of the interacting species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of silicon (Si) is widely reported to have anti‐herbivore defensive properties in grasses. There is emerging, but fragmentary, evidence that Si could play a similar role in legumes.Here, we sought to understand the effects of Si supplementation on anti‐herbivore defensive properties in lucerne (Medicago sativa), especially in relation to other potential defences (i.e. phenolics) and the phytohormone that regulates anti‐herbivore defences, jasmonic acid or jasmonate (JA), which is also linked to Si accumulation.We determined how growth, root nodulation and chemistry (carbon, nitrogen and phenolic concentrations) of four genotypes of lucerne responded to Si supplementation, with and without the application of JA, and we used feeding assays to determine the subsequent effects on the feeding success of adult Sitona discoideus weevils.Si supplementation increased plant mass and root nodulation of M. sativa by 61% and 227%, respectively, and reduced relative consumption (RC) and frass production by S. discoideus by 38% and 30% respectively. Si supplementation had no effect on foliar nitrogen concentrations, most likely due to the dilution effects of increased plant growth and foliar carbon. Phenolic concentrations were negatively correlated with leaf RC; RC also decreased by 34% when JA was applied to plants. When Si was combined with JA application, phenolics were significantly enhanced, demonstrating the potential to stimulate multiple anti‐herbivore properties in M. sativa. Overall, the Si‐ and JA‐induced phytochemical and herbivore feeding responses were consistent between the four lucerne genotypes tested.Synthesis. The novel findings suggest that Si accumulation may play a more important role in legume resistance to herbivorous animals than previously thought. The ubiquity of soil Si and its emerging functional role in plant biology, including plant–animal interactions, suggest that these patterns could be common among legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In insect‐pollinated, bird‐dispersed plants, both investment in reproduction and reproductive success involve interactions between plants and their pollinators and dispersers. The outcome of these plant–animal interactions may be affected by the number of flowers and fruits, as well as by the plants' local environment and by spatial associations among plants. In this study we mapped the spatial distribution of individuals in a population of the early flowering, fleshy‐fruited shrub Daphne mezereum, in a forest in boreo‐nemoral Sweden. For all mapped individuals we collected data on numbers of flowers and fruits and fruit removal, for three consecutive years. We analysed spatial associations among individuals, and the effects on reproductive performance and fruit removal of plant height, numbers of flowers and fruits, distance to forest edge, and neighbouring flower and fruit density. Our results show that the density of D. mezereum increases with increasing proximity to forest edge. The number of flowers produced, as well as fruit set and fruit removal, show the same positive relationship with increasing proximity to forest edges. We further show that individuals are aggregated up to distances of about 10 m. The flower production of neighbouring conspecific individuals within 10 m is negatively related to fruit set whereas the fruit production of neighbours is positively related to fruit removal. Our main conclusion is that the spatial distribution of D. mezereum affects reproductive success and fruit removal, which in turn has the potential to feed back to the spatial distribution pattern. Combining studies of reproduction with spatial analyses is important to advance our understanding of the dynamics of plant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed dispersal is a critical phase in plant reproduction and forest regeneration. In many systems, the vast majority of woody species rely on seed dispersal by fruit‐eating animals. Animals differ in their size, movement patterns, seed handling, gut physiology, and many other factors that affect the number of seeds they disperse, the quality of treatment each individual seed receives, and consequently their relative contribution to plant fitness. The seed dispersal effectiveness framework (SDE) was developed to allow systematic and standardized quantification of these processes, offering a potential for understanding the large‐scale dynamics of animal–plant interactions and the ecological and evolutionary consequences of animal behavior for plant reproductive success. Yet, despite its wide acceptance, the SDE framework has primarily been employed descriptively, almost always in the context of local systems. As such, the drivers of variation in SDE across systems and the relationship between its components remain unknown. We systematically searched studies that quantified endozoochorous SDE for multiple animal species dispersing one or more plant species in a given system and offered an integrative examination of the factors driving variation in SDE. Specifically, we addressed three main questions: (a) Is there a tradeoff between high dispersal quality and quantity? (b) Does animal body mass affect SDE or its main components? and (c) What drives more variation in SDE, seed dispersal quality, or quantity? We found that: (a) the relationship between quality and quantity is mediated by body size; (b) this is the result of differential relationships between body mass and the two components, while total SDE is unaffected by body mass; (c)neither quality nor quantity explain more variance in SDE globally. Our results also highlight the need for more standardized data to assess large‐scale patterns in SDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being an extralimital species in the region, South African giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Schreber 1784) are continuously being introduced into the Albany Thicket Biome of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the diurnal activity budgets of two extralimital giraffe populations in the Western Cape of South Africa. Diurnal activity budgets are important to provide baseline information on the adaptability of species in newly introduced areas and for more detailed ecological studies such as those relating to habitat suitability, animal–plant interactions and interactions with other resident animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Estimation of grazing livestock intake is the basis for studying animal–plant relationships and the nutritional status of grazing livestock and has important implications for grassland composition and productivity. (2) We used the saturated alkanes method to determine the feed intake and vegetation nutrient digestibility of livestock at different grazing intensities and in different months. (3) We found that C31 had the highest concentration in both pasture and fecal output, and the average recovery of C31 was 77.99%. The different grazing intensities significantly affected livestock intake. As the grazing intensity increased, there was a decreasing trend of livestock intake and the highest livestock feed intake was 6.11 kg DM/day in light grazing. With the increase in grazing season months, the highest livestock intake was 6.67 kg DM/day in the cold period in September. The month also had a significant effect on the digestibility of livestock for all nutrient variables when compared to the grazing intensity. Livestock weight and medium palatability species are more important for livestock intake. (4) Our study provides a more accurate measurement of grazing livestock intake, which can be used as a reference for the scientific management of grazing livestock and the rational use of grazing pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present 7418 records of insects of the order Diptera, corresponding to 7569 specimens deposited in the Entomological Collection of the University of Antioquia (CEUA) with information associated with plant taxa. The specimens were collected in and/or reared from small bodies of water accumulated in parts of terrestrial plants, denoted as Phytotelmata in a tropical rain forest in the department of Chocó. The dataset is public access through Biodiversity Information System (SiB-Colombia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the ecological and functional aspects (such as role in sediment characteristics and plant–animal interactions) of a Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) Grande meadow during its vegetative season in the choked Valle Campo lagoon, a sub-basin of the wider Valli di Comacchio, on the Northern Adriatic coast. Sampling campaigns were carried out with a roughly fortnightly frequency in 2017 at two sites, one with the Ruppia meadow and one with bare sediment. Sediment parameters analyzed were microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a, protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content, and total organic matter. The macrobenthos was identified at the lowest possible taxonomic level. Chlorophyll a, as a surrogate of microphytobenthos, showed differences between the two sites, probably mainly related to light intensity; thus, it is expected that the absence of seagrass canopy results in the higher production of microphytobenthos. At both sites, proteins were the dominant class of labile compounds, suggesting that detrital organic matter present at both study sites is of high nutritional quality. The high protein/carbohydrate ratio also suggests the presence of non-aged organic matter. We recorded a total of 18 macroinvertebrate taxa. The Ruppia meadow showed a positive influence on macrofauna abundance, diversity, species richness, and composition of trophic groups. Only the infaunal taxa Capitella capitata and Chironomus salinarius exhibited higher abundance at the bare site. The ecological quality status measured by the M-AMBI index was unsatisfactory everywhere. However, the presence of the Ruppia meadow resulted in index values being consistently higher. The role of this minor seagrass has been proved to be of great importance, improving the nutritional quality of the organic matter in the sediments and, above all, providing new habitats and new niches for a number of benthic macrofauna species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plant–animal interactions play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems by promoting biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance, and facilitating the provision of resources for both fauna and humans. Failure to maintain these interactions could lead to numerous plant and animal species' inability to survive, potentially resulting in ecological imbalances. We examined the effects of fruit color and the local landscape on plant–bird interactions in an agroecosystem in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines. Using artificial fruit models, we found that the proportion of predation and risk was significantly higher in the red fruit model (ripe fruits) compared to the green model (unripe fruits). Furthermore, birds were the dominant predators and were more likely to consume ripe fruits compared to unripe ones, compared to other predators such as mammals and arthropods. Our study showed that fruit color significantly promotes mutualistic interactions, especially for birds, within an agroecosystem. The removal of fruit is a consequence of plant–animal interactions, and is a vital step in the natural regeneration cycle of plant populations. This research aimed to determine the effect of fruit color and local landscape on plant–bird interactions in an agroecosystem in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines. We set out 1500 artificial fruit models in ten sampling locations within an agroecosystem. We measured the difference in the proportion of predated/removed (%) fruit models and the risk between sites, fruit color, and predators. Approximately a quarter (24.53%) of the artificial fruit models deployed were predated, and the proportion of predation was significantly higher in the red fruit models (mean = 18.74 ± 9.84) compared to the green fruit models (mean = 11.67 ± 6.17). Birds were the most dominant predators compared to mammals and arthropods, and contributed to at least 60% of the predation of red fruits. Our findings are consistent with previous evidence showing birds' preferences for darker fruit colors. Although landscape variables did not significantly affect fruit predation, tree cover may help increase these interactions. Overall, our study showed that agroecosystems can still support species of frugivorous birds, as indicated by high fruit predation rates, particularly by birds that can permeate different layers of the agroecosystem. Our findings demonstrate an important implication for habitat quality management within agroecosystems. Enriching agroecosystems with pioneer trees with dark-colored fleshy fruits is a sustainable greening strategy that would benefit frugivores and producers in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed dispersal has become an important component in understanding plant–animal interaction. Recently, there have been concerns about the role of ruminants, particularly browsers, in the dispersal of woody plant seeds. This study aimed to determine whether including Vachellia nilotica seeds in livestock, diets could reduce the spread of viable seeds in the rangelands and control bush encroachment. The shoots and seed pods of Vachellia nilotica were harvested and analyzed for fiber, protein, and mineral nutrients at different seed pods inclusion rates, with or without a feed additive. Six diets were selected for feeding 24 goats and quantifying seed recovery and germination after ingestion. Results indicated that including seed pods and feed additives to Vachellia nilotica shoots significantly improved the quality of the fodder. Chipping the seed pods prior to including them in the diet resulted in 13% intact seed recovery, and approximately 2% of these seeds were recovered after ingestion. These recovered seeds were mostly still viable but were still dormant as seed coats were not sufficiently damaged after ingestion. Therefore, viable seeds may still be dispersed in the rangeland, leading to further bush encroachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatiotemporal genetic variation at early plant life stages may substantially affect the natural recolonization of human-altered areas, which is crucial to understand plant and habitat conservation. In animal-dispersed plants, dispersers' behavior may critically drive the distribution of genetic variation. Here, we examine how genetic rarity is spatially and temporally structured in seedlings of a keystone pioneer palm (Chamaerops humilis) and how the variation of genetic rarity could ultimately affect plant recruitment. We intensively monitored the seed rain mediated by two medium-sized carnivores during two consecutive seasons in a Mediterranean human-altered area. We genotyped 143 out of 309 detected seedlings using 12 microsatellite markers. We found that seedlings emerging from carnivore-dispersed seeds showed moderate to high levels of genetic diversity and no evidence of inbreeding. We found inflated kinship among seedlings that emerged from seeds within a single carnivore fecal sample, but a dilution of such FSGS at larger spatial scales (e.g. latrine). Seedlings showed a significant genetic sub-structure and the sibling relationships varied depending on the spatial scale. Rare genotypes arrived slightly later throughout the dispersal season and tended to be spatially isolated. However, genetic rarity was not a significant predictor by itself which indicates that, at least, its influence on seedling survival was smaller than other spatiotemporal factors. Our results suggest strong C. humilis resilience to genetic bottlenecks due to human disturbances. We highlight the study of plant-animal interactions from a genetic perspective since it provides crucial information for plant conservation and the recovery of genetic plant resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seed germination schedule is a key factor affecting the food-hoarding behavior of animals and the seedling regeneration of plants. However, little is known about the behavioral adaptation of rodents to the rapid germination of acorns. In this study, we provided Quercus variabilis acorns to several rodent species to investigate how food-hoarding animals respond to seed germination. We found that only Apodemus peninsulae adopted embryo excision behavior to counteract seed germination, which is the first report of embryo excision in nonsquirrel rodents. We speculated that this species may be at an early stage of the evolutionary response to seed perishability in rodents, given the low rate of embryo excision in this species. On the contrary, all rodent species preferred to prune the radicles of germinating acorns before caching, suggesting that radicle pruning is a stable and more general foraging behavior strategy for foodhoarding rodents. Furthermore, scatter-hoarding rodents preferred to scatterhoard and prune more germinating acorns, whereas they consumed more nongerminating acorns. Acorns with embryos excised rather than radicles pruned were much less likely to germinate than intact acorns, suggesting a behavioral adaptation strategy by rodents to the rapid germination of recalcitrant seeds. This study provides insight into the impact of early seed germination on plant-animal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity to identify predator chemical cues is extremely advantageous as it allows prey to avoid the predation sequence from the beginning. However, for aquatic organisms, identification can be constrained by the presence of other substances, such as plant chemical compounds. Despite its ecological implications, there is a lack of knowledge on the potential chemical interference of sympatric plants to the surrounding aquatic fauna. In this context, our study aims to understand the consequences that chemical interference can entail in the anti-predator responses of tadpoles of the Cope's toad (Rhinella diptycha). We conducted an outdoor experiment, where we compared the anti-predator responses of R. diptycha tadpoles to a natural predator (giant water bug) with and without adding chemicals of a potentially toxic native plant (Microlobius foetidus) to the water. Tadpoles showed an increase in grouping behaviour and a reduction in activity in the predator treatment. Moreover, our results indicate that the chemical compounds of the sympatric plant modified tadpole behavioural responses, disrupting grouping behaviour while maintaining reduced activity. These findings help understand the complexity of chemical communication in aquatic habitats and the consequences on animal-plant interactions and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scatter-hoarding rodents play important roles in seed dispersal and predation in many forest ecosystems. Existing studies have shown that the seed foraging preference of rodents is directly affected by seed traits and indirectly affected by the traits of other co-existing seeds nearby (i.e., neighbor effect). Plant seeds exhibit a combination of diverse seed traits, including seed size, chemical defense, and nutrient content. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the influence of each single seed trait on such neighbor effects. Here, by using artificial seeds, we investigated the impacts of contrasts in seed size, tannin content, and nutrient content on neighbor effects. We tracked 9000 tagged artificial seeds from 30 seed-seed paired treatments in a subtropical forest in southwest China. The contrast in seed size between paired seeds created obvious neighbor effects measured through three seed dispersal related indicators: the proportion of seeds being removed, the proportion of seeds cached, and the distance transported by rodents. However, the magnitudes and the signs of the neighbor effects differed among pairs, including both apparent mutualism and apparent competition, depending on the contrast in seed size between paired seeds. The contrasts of tannin and nutrient content between paired seeds showed relatively few neighbor effects. Our results suggest that the contrast in seed traits between the target seed and its neighboring seeds should be considered when studying rodent-seed interactions. Furthermore, we expect that similar complex neighbor effects may also exist in other plant-animal interactions, such as pollination and herbivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant–animal interactions constitute some of the most important ecological processes for the maintenance of tropical forests. Bats are the only group of mammals capable of true flight and have been recognized as important dispersers of pioneer and secondary successional plant species. Although progress has been made in the study of Neotropical bats, morphological variation of the wing and its influence on niche separation between species is unknown. We evaluated relationships among habitat structures of selected Colombian tropical dry forest patches, the diet through interaction networks, and wing morphology of 11 species of bats in the Stenodermatinae subfamily (297 individuals) using geometric morphometry in a phylogenetic context. The results indicate that the phylogenetic signal for wing size is greater than for wing shape, thus providing some evidence for evolutionary convergence. Wing shape variation was associated primarily with the distal anatomical tip of the third finger and the joint between the humerus and the radius and ulna. Species with wide, short wings, as in the genus Artibeus had generalist diets and less nested positions within the interaction networks. In contrast, species with elongated and pointed wings, such as Sturnira and Platyrrhinus , had specialized diets and more nested positions within the interaction networks. We argue that wing shape variation may play an important role as a source of interspecific variation leading to food specialization within tropical bat communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]