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Animal-mediated plant niche tracking in a changing climate. Trends Ecol Evol 2023:S0169-5347(23)00034-4. [PMID: 36932024 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Over half of plant species are animal-dispersed, and our understanding of how animals can help plants move in response to climate change - a process known as niche tracking - is limited, but advancing rapidly. Recent research efforts find evidence that animals are helping plants track their niches. They also identify key conditions needed for animal-mediated niche tracking to occur, including alignment of the timing of seed availability, the directionality of animal movements, and microhabitat conditions where seeds are deposited. A research framework that measures niche tracking effectiveness by considering all parts of the niche-tracking process, and links together data and models from multiple disciplines, will lead to further insight and inform actions to help ecosystems adapt to a changing world.
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Murugavel B, Kandula S, Somanathan H, Kelber A. Home ranges, directionality and the influence of moon phases on the movement ecology of Indian flying fox males in southern India. Biol Open 2023; 12:286595. [PMID: 36648245 PMCID: PMC9922730 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Flying foxes of the genus Pteropus are amongst the largest fruit bats and potential long-range pollinators and seed dispersers in the paleotropics. Pteropus giganteus (currently P. medius) is the only flying fox that is distributed throughout the Indian mainland, including in urban and rural areas. Using GPS telemetry, we mapped the home ranges and examined flight patterns in P. giganteus males across moon phases in a semi-urban landscape in southern India. Home range differed between the tracked males (n=4), likely due to differences in their experience in the landscape. We found that nightly time spent outside the roost, distance commuted and the number of sites visited by tracked individuals did not differ significantly between moon phases. In 61% of total tracked nights across bats, the first foraging site was within 45˚ of the emergence direction. At the colony-level, scan-based observations showed emergence flights were mostly in the northeast (27%), west (22%) and southwest (19%) directions that could potentially be related to the distribution of foraging resources. The movement ecology of fruit bats in relation to the pollination and seed dispersal services they provide requires to be investigated in future studies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baheerathan Murugavel
- IISER TVM Centre for Research and Education in Ecology and Evolution (ICREEE), School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P. O, Vithura, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Sripathi Kandula
- 74-6-51, Sravanthi Enclave, Prakash Nagar, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, 533103 India
| | - Hema Somanathan
- IISER TVM Centre for Research and Education in Ecology and Evolution (ICREEE), School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala P. O, Vithura, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Almut Kelber
- Lund Vision Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden,Author for correspondence ()
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3
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Andrianiaina A, Andry S, Gentles A, Guth S, Héraud JM, Ranaivoson HC, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Treuer T, Brook CE. Reproduction, seasonal morphology, and juvenile growth in three Malagasy fruit bats. J Mammal 2022; 103:1397-1408. [PMID: 36686611 PMCID: PMC9841406 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The island nation of Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World fruit bat in the family Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascariensis, all three of which are IUCN Red Listed under some category of threat. Delineation of seasonal limits in the reproductive calendar for threatened mammals can inform conservation efforts by clarifying parameters used in population viability models, as well as elucidate understanding of the mechanisms underpinning pathogen persistence in host populations. Here, we define the seasonal limits of a staggered annual birth pulse across the three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat, known reservoirs for viruses of high zoonotic potential. Our field studies indicate that this annual birth pulse takes place in September/October for P. rufus, November for E. dupreanum, and December for R. madagascariensis in central-eastern Madagascar where the bulk of our research was concentrated. Juvenile development periods vary across the three Malagasy pteropodids, resulting in near-synchronous weaning of pups for all species in late January-February at the height of the fruiting season for this region. We here document the size range in morphological traits for the three Malagasy fruit bat species, with P. rufus and E. dupreanum among the larger of pteropodids globally and R. madagascariensis among the smaller. All three species demonstrate subtle sexual dimorphism with males being larger than females. We explore seasonal variation in adult body condition by comparing observed body mass with body mass predicted by forearm length, demonstrating that pregnant females add weight during staggered gestation periods and males lose weight during the nutritionally deficit Malagasy winter. Finally, we quantify forearm, tibia, and ear length growth rates in juvenile bats, demonstrating both faster growth and more protracted development times for P. rufus as compared with E. dupreanum and R. madagascariensis. The longer development period for the already-threatened P. rufus further undermines the conservation status of this species as human hunting is particularly detrimental to population viability during reproductive periods. Our work highlights the importance of longitudinal field studies in collecting critical data for mammalian conservation efforts and human public health alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Andrianiaina
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Santino Andry
- Mention Entomologie, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Anecia Gentles
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens 30609, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Guth
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
| | - Jean-Michel Héraud
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar 10200, Senegal
- Ecole Doctorale Science de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Hafaliana Christian Ranaivoson
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | | | - Timothy Treuer
- Gund Institute for Environment, The University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, Vermont, USA
| | - Cara E Brook
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley 94720, California, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago 60637, Illinois, USA
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4
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Effect of artificial light on activity in frugivorous bats (Pteropodidae). J ETHOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-022-00771-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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5
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Somveille M, Ellis‐Soto D. Linking animal migration and ecosystem processes: Data-driven simulation of propagule dispersal by migratory herbivores. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9383. [PMID: 36267687 PMCID: PMC9577414 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal migration is a key process underlying active subsidies and species dispersal over long distances, which affects the connectivity and functioning of ecosystems. Despite much research describing patterns of where animals migrate, we still lack a framework for quantifying and predicting how animal migration affects ecosystem processes. In this study, we aim to integrate animal movement behavior and ecosystem functioning by developing a predictive modeling framework that can inform ecosystem management and conservation. We propose a framework to model individual‐level migration trajectories between populations' seasonal ranges as well as the resulting dispersal and fate of propagules carried by the migratory animals, which can be calibrated using empirical data at every step of the modeling process. As a case study, we applied our framework to model the spread of guava seeds, Psidium guajava, by a population of migratory Galapagos tortoises, Chelonoidis porteri, across Santa Cruz Island. Galapagos tortoises are large herbivores that transport seeds and nutrients across the island, while Guava is one of the most problematic invasive species in the Galapagos archipelago. Our model can predict the pattern of spread of guava seeds alongside tortoises' downslope migration range, and it identified areas most likely to see establishment success. Our results show that Galapagos tortoises' seed dispersal may particularly contribute to guava range expansion on Santa Cruz Island, due to both long gut retention time and tortoise's long‐distance migration across vegetation zones. In particular, we predict that tortoises are dispersing a significant amount of guava seeds into the Galapagos National Park, which has important consequences for the native flora. The flexibility and modularity of our framework allow for the integration of multiple data sources. It also allows for a wide range of applications to investigate how migratory animals affect ecosystem processes, including propagule dispersal but also other processes such as nutrient transport across ecosystems. Our framework is also a valuable tool for predicting how animal‐mediated propagule dispersal can be affected by environmental change. These different applications can have important conservation implications for the management of ecosystems that include migratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Somveille
- Department of BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA,Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment ResearchUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Diego Ellis‐Soto
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Center for Biodiversity and Global ChangeYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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Culbertson KA, Treuer TLH, Mondragon‐Botero A, Ramiadantsoa T, Reid JL. The eco‐evolutionary history of Madagascar presents unique challenges to tropical forest restoration. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Culbertson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California Berkeley California USA
| | | | | | - Tanjona Ramiadantsoa
- Department of Life Science University of Fianarantsoa Fianarantsoa Madagascar
- Department of Mathematics University of Fianarantsoa Fianarantsoa Madagascar
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - J. Leighton Reid
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences Blacksburg Virginia USA
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Todd CM, Westcott DA, Martin JM, Rose K, McKeown A, Hall J, Welbergen JA. Body-size dependent foraging strategies in the Christmas Island flying-fox: implications for seed and pollen dispersal within a threatened island ecosystem. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2022; 10:19. [PMID: 35410304 PMCID: PMC8996557 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00315-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animals are important vectors for the dispersal of a wide variety of plant species, and thus play a key role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of natural ecosystems. On oceanic islands, flying-foxes are often the only seed dispersers or pollinators. However, many flying-fox populations are currently in decline, particularly those of insular species, and this has consequences for the ecological services they provide. Knowledge of the drivers and the scale of flying-fox movements is important in determining the ecological roles that flying-foxes play on islands. This information is also useful for understanding the potential long-term consequences for forest dynamics resulting from population declines or extinction, and so can aid in the development of evidence-based ecological management strategies. To these ends, we examined the foraging movements, floral resource use, and social interactions of the Critically Endangered Christmas Island flying-fox (Pteropus natalis). METHODS Utilization distributions, using movement-based kernel estimates (MBKE) were generated to determine nightly foraging movements of GPS-tracked P. natalis (n = 24). Generalized linear models (GLMs), linear mixed-effect models (LMMs), and Generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMMs) were constructed to explain how intrinsic factors (body mass, skeletal size, and sex) affected the extent of foraging movements. In addition, we identified pollen collected from facial and body swabs of P. natalis (n = 216) to determine foraging resource use. Direct observations (n = 272) of foraging P. natalis enabled us to assess the various behaviors used to defend foraging resources. RESULTS Larger P. natalis individuals spent more time foraging and less time traveling between foraging patches, traveled shorter nightly distances, and had smaller overall foraging ranges than smaller conspecifics. Additionally, larger individuals visited a lower diversity of floral resources. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that smaller P. natalis individuals are the primary vectors of long-distance dispersal of pollen and digested seeds in this species, providing a vital mechanism for maintaining the flow of plant genetic diversity across Christmas Island. Overall, our study highlights the need for more holistic research approaches that incorporate population demographics when assessing a species' ecological services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Todd
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753 Australia
| | - David A. Westcott
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 47-67 Maunds St, Atherton, QLD 4883 Australia
- Atherton, Australia
| | - John M. Martin
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088 Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088 Australia
| | - Adam McKeown
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Waite Rd, Urrbrae, SA 5064 Australia
| | - Jane Hall
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088 Australia
| | - Justin A. Welbergen
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753 Australia
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8
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Mwinyi AM, Nnko HJ. Seasonality of Pemba flying fox (
Pteropus voeltzkowi
) in selected habitats of Pemba Island, and its roles in seed dispersal and germination. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali M. Mwinyi
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies University of Dodoma Dodoma Tanzania
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Morales
- Grupo de Ecología Cuantitativa, INIBIOMA‐CONICET, Univ. Nacional del Comahue Bariloche Argentina
| | - Teresa Morán López
- Grupo de Ecología Cuantitativa, INIBIOMA‐CONICET, Univ. Nacional del Comahue Bariloche Argentina
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10
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McEvoy JF, Kishbaugh JC, Valitutto MT, Aung O, Tun KYN, Win YT, Maw MT, Thein WZ, Win HH, Chit AM, Vodzak ME, Murray S. Movements of Indian Flying Fox in Myanmar as a Guide to Human-Bat Interface Sites. ECOHEALTH 2021; 18:204-216. [PMID: 34448977 PMCID: PMC8390844 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01544-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Frugivorous bats play a vital role in tropical ecosystems as pollinators and seed dispersers but are also important vectors of zoonotic diseases. Myanmar sits at the intersection of numerous bioregions and contains habitats that are important for many endangered and endemic species. This rapidly developing country also forms a connection between hotspots of emerging human diseases. We deployed Global Positioning System collars to track the movements of 10 Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) in the agricultural landscapes of central Myanmar. We used clustering analysis to identify foraging sites and high-utilization areas. As part of a larger viral surveillance study in bats of Myanmar, we also collected oral and rectal swab samples from 29 bats to test for key emerging viral diseases in this colony. There were no positive results detected for our chosen viruses. We analyzed their foraging movement behavior and evaluated selected foraging sites for their potential as human-wildlife interface sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F McEvoy
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA.
| | - Jennifer C Kishbaugh
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Marc T Valitutto
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Ohnmar Aung
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Kyaw Yan Naing Tun
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Ye Tun Win
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Min Thein Maw
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Wai Zin Thein
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Htay Htay Win
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Aung Myo Chit
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Megan E Vodzak
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Suzan Murray
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
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Aziz SA, McConkey KR, Tanalgo K, Sritongchuay T, Low MR, Yong JY, Mildenstein TL, Nuevo-Diego CE, Lim VC, Racey PA. The Critical Importance of Old World Fruit Bats for Healthy Ecosystems and Economies. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.641411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive documentation of the ecological and economic importance of Old World fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and the many threats they face from humans, negative attitudes towards pteropodids have persisted, fuelled by perceptions of bats as being pests and undesirable neighbours. Such long-term negativity towards bats is now further exacerbated by more recent disease-related concerns, particularly associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic. There remains an urgent need to investigate and highlight the positive and beneficial aspects of bats across the Old World. While previous reviews have summarised these extensively, numerous new studies conducted over the last 36 years have provided further valuable data and insights which warrant an updated review. Here we synthesise research on pteropodid-plant interactions, comprising diet, ecological roles, and ecosystem services, conducted during 1985-2020. We uncovered a total of 311 studies covering 75 out of the known 201 pteropodid species (37%), conducted in 47 countries. The majority of studies documented diet (52% of all studies; 67 pteropodid species), followed by foraging movement (49%; 50 pteropodid species), with fewer studies directly investigating the roles played by pteropodids in seed dispersal (24%; 41 pteropodid species), pollination (14%; 19 pteropodid species), and conflict with fruit growers (12%; 11 pteropodid species). Pteropodids were recorded feeding on 1072 plant species from 493 genera and 148 families, with fruits comprising the majority of plant parts consumed, followed by flowers/nectar/pollen, leaves, and other miscellaneous parts. Sixteen pteropodid species have been confirmed to act as pollinators for a total of 21 plant species, and 29 pteropodid species have been confirmed to act as seed dispersers for a total of 311 plant species. Anthropogenic threats disrupting bat-plant interactions in the Old World include hunting, direct persecution, habitat loss/disturbance, invasive species, and climate change, leading to ecosystem-level repercussions. We identify notable research gaps and important research priorities to support conservation action for pteropodids.
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12
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Reinegger RD, Oleksy RZ, Bissessur P, Naujeer H, Jones G. First come, first served: fruit availability to keystone bat species is potentially reduced by invasive macaques. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Bats provide important pollination and seed-dispersal services to native angiosperms. However, many bat species are increasingly threatened by human disturbance, including the Mauritian flying fox (Pteropus niger), an endemic, keystone seed disperser. Native forests are scarce and P. niger frequently feeds in commercial plantations, where it now is considered a pest and subjected to frequent culling, thereby hindering conservation efforts. The invasive long-tailed macaque (Primates: Cercopithecidae, Macaca fascicularis) potentially competes with P. niger for scarce native fruits. We investigated the extent of dietary overlap between M. fascicularis and P. niger on Mauritius by sampling fruit drop for 17 tree species and identifying additional food species along line transects. Fruits of 13 of 17 species were eaten by animals and fruit production across tree replicates generally was low but highly variable. Although M. fascicularis ate only 4% of fruit overall, they consumed 20–100% of the fruits of seven species. Approximately 39% of dropped fruits were intact; based on field observations, most probably were dropped by M. fascicularis. Unlike P. niger, M. fascicularis ate mostly unripe fruit and depleted all fruit of certain species at an unripe stage. Hence, M. fascicularis may restrict P. niger’s diet and potentially disrupt seed dispersal of some tree species. Furthermore, small trees are more prone to fruit depletion at an unripe stage by macaques. In addition, asynchronous fruiting phenology across forest fragments may modulate the provision of native fruits to P. niger throughout the year. Although competition can be demonstrated only by controlled experimental studies that are logistically impossible in our scenario, our results highlight potential detrimental consequences that introduced frugivores may have on keystone seed dispersers. Finally, our results suggest that a more integrative and island-wide approach to forest restoration may be valuable for the conservation of P. niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael D Reinegger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ryszard Z Oleksy
- Ecosystem Restoration Alliance, Indian Ocean (ERA), Circonstance, Saint Pierre, Mauritius
| | - Prishnee Bissessur
- Tropical Island Biodiversity, and Conservation Pole of Research, Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Le Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Houshna Naujeer
- National Parks and Conservation Service, Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security, Le Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Raghunathan N, François L, Cazetta E, Pitance JL, De Vleeschouwer K, Hambuckers A. Deterministic modelling of seed dispersal based on observed behaviours of an endemic primate in Brazil. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244220. [PMID: 33370339 PMCID: PMC7769435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant species models are among the available tools to predict the future of ecosystems threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and degradation. However, they suffer from low to no inclusion of plant dispersal, which is necessary to predict ecosystem evolution. A variety of seed dispersal models have been conceived for anemochorous and zoochorous plant species, but the coupling between vegetation models and seed dispersal processes remains rare. The main challenge in modelling zoochoric dispersal is simulating animal movements in their complex habitat. Recent developments allow straightforward applications of hidden Markov modelling (HMM) to animal movements, which could ease generalizations when modelling zoochoric seed dispersal. We tested the use of HMM to model seed dispersal by an endangered primate in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, to demonstrate its potential simplicity to simulate seed dispersal processes. We also discuss how to adapt it to other species. We collected information on movement, fruit consumption, deposition, and habitat use of Leontopithecus chrysomelas. We analysed daily trajectories using HMM and built a deterministic Model Of Seed Transfer (MOST), which replicated, with good approximation, the primate's movement and seed deposition patterns as observed in the field. Our results suggest that the dispersal behaviour and short daily-trajectories of L. chrysomelas restrict the species' role in large-scale forest regeneration, but contribute to the prevalence of resource tree species locally, and potentially maintaining tree diversity by preventing local extinction. However, it may be possible to accurately simulate dispersal in an area, without necessarily quantifying variables that influence movement, if the movement can be broken down to step-length and turning angles, and parametrised along with the distribution of gut-transit times. For future objectives, coupling MOST with a DVM could be used to test hypotheses on tree species survival in various scenarios, simulating regeneration and growth at regional scales by including data on main dispersal agents over the area of interest, distribution of tree species, and land use data. The principal advantage of the MOST model is its functionality with data available from the literature as the variables are easy to parametrise. We suggest using the coupled model to perform experiments using only available information, but varying the numbers and species of seed dispersers, or modifying land cover or configuration to test for possible thresholds preventing the extinction of selected tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Raghunathan
- UR SPHERES, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Applied Ecology and Conservation Lab, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Eliana Cazetta
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Applied Ecology and Conservation Lab, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Kristel De Vleeschouwer
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Bicho do Mato Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim J. E. Steffens
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology University of Hamburg Martin‐Luther‐King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg Germany
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15
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Akçakaya HR, Rodrigues ASL, Keith DA, Milner-Gulland EJ, Sanderson EW, Hedges S, Mallon DP, Grace MK, Long B, Meijaard E, Stephenson PJ. Assessing ecological function in the context of species recovery. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:561-571. [PMID: 31621946 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Species interactions matter to conservation. Setting an ambitious recovery target for a species requires considering the size, density, and demographic structure of its populations such that they fulfill the interactions, roles, and functions of the species in the ecosystems in which they are embedded. A recently proposed framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List of Species formalizes this requirement by defining a fully recovered species in terms of representation, viability, and functionality. Defining and quantifying ecological function from the viewpoint of species recovery is challenging in concept and application, but also an opportunity to insert ecological theory into conservation practice. We propose 2 complementary approaches to assessing a species' ecological functions: confirmation (listing interactions of the species, identifying ecological processes and other species involved in these interactions, and quantifying the extent to which the species contributes to the identified ecological process) and elimination (inferring functionality by ruling out symptoms of reduced functionality, analogous to the red-list approach that focuses on symptoms of reduced viability). Despite the challenges, incorporation of functionality into species recovery planning is possible in most cases and it is essential to a conservation vision that goes beyond preventing extinctions and aims to restore a species to levels beyond what is required for its viability. This vision focuses on conservation and recovery at the species level and sees species as embedded in ecosystems, influencing and being influenced by the processes in those ecosystems. Thus, it connects and integrates conservation at the species and ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Resit Akçakaya
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, U.S.A
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
| | - Ana S L Rodrigues
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Univ. de Montpellier - Univ. Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - David A Keith
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
- Centre for Ecosystem Sciences, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville, NSW, 2220, Australia
| | - E J Milner-Gulland
- Department of Zoology and Merton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6BW, U.K
| | - Eric W Sanderson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460, U.S.A
| | - Simon Hedges
- IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
- Asian Arks, D/A University of Sumatera Utara, Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
| | - David P Mallon
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, U.K
- IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
| | - Molly K Grace
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6BW, U.K
| | - Barney Long
- Global Wildlife Conservation, 1250 24th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20037, U.S.A
| | - Erik Meijaard
- IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Decision, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - P J Stephenson
- Ecosystem Management Group, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
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16
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Baldwin JW, Dechmann DKN, Thies W, Whitehead SR. Defensive fruit metabolites obstruct seed dispersal by altering bat behavior and physiology at multiple temporal scales. Ecology 2020; 101:e02937. [PMID: 31750543 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The paradoxical presence of toxic chemical compounds in ripe fruits represents a balance between plant enemies and allies: chemical traits can defend seeds against antagonistic herbivores, seed predators, or fungal pathogens, but also can impose costs by repelling mutualistic seed dispersers, although the costs are often difficult to quantify. Seeds gain fitness benefits from traveling far from the parent plant, as they can escape from parental competition and elude specialized herbivores as well as pathogens that accumulate on adult plants. However, seeds are difficult to follow from their parent plant to their final destination. Thus, little is known about the factors that determine seed dispersal distance. We investigated this potential cost of fruit secondary compounds, reduced seed dispersal distance, by combining two data sets from previous work on a Neotropical bat-plant dispersal system (bats in the genus Carollia and plants in the genus Piper). We used data from captive behavioral experiments, which show how amides in ripe fruits of Piper decrease the retention time of seeds and alter food choices. With new analyses, we show that these defensive secondary compounds also delay the time of fruit removal. Next, with a behaviorally annotated bat telemetry data set, we quantified post-feeding movements (i.e., seed dispersal distances). Using generalized additive mixed models we found that seed dispersal distances varied nonlinearly with gut retention times as well as with the time of fruit removal. By interrogating the model predictions, we identified two novel mechanisms by which fruit secondary compounds can impose costs in terms of decreased seed dispersal distances: (1) small-scale reductions in gut retention time and (2) causing fruits to forgo advantageous bat activity peaks that confer high seed dispersal distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W Baldwin
- Department of Public Health, School of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.,Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA
| | - Dina K N Dechmann
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, 78315, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, 78464, Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panamá
| | - Wibke Thies
- Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ GmbH), Eschborn, 65760, Germany
| | - Susan R Whitehead
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, MC 0390, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
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17
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Gelmi‐Candusso TA, Bialozyt R, Slana D, Zárate Gómez R, Heymann EW, Heer K. Estimating seed dispersal distance: A comparison of methods using animal movement and plant genetic data on two primate-dispersed Neotropical plant species. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8965-8977. [PMID: 31462995 PMCID: PMC6706201 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Seed dispersal distance (SDD) critically influences the survival of seedlings, spatial patterns of genetic diversity within plant populations, and gene flow among plant populations. In animal-dispersed species, foraging behavior and movement patterns determine SDD. Direct observations of seed dispersal events by animals in natural plant populations are mostly constrained by the high mobility and low visibility of seed dispersers. Therefore, diverse alternative methods are used to estimate seed dispersal distance, but direct comparisons of these approaches within the same seed dispersal system are mostly missing.We investigated two plant species with different life history traits, Leonia cymosa and Parkia panurensis, exclusively dispersed by two tamarin species, Saguinus mystax and Leontocebus nigrifrons. We compared SDD estimates obtained from direct observations, genetic identification of mother plants from seed coats, parentage analysis of seedlings/saplings, and phenomenological and mechanistic modeling approaches.SDD derived from the different methods ranged between 158 and 201 m for P. panurensis and between 178 and 318 m for L. cymosa. In P. panurensis, the modeling approaches resulted in moderately higher estimates than observations and genotyping of seed coats. In L. cymosa, parentage analysis resulted in a lower estimate than all other methods. Overall, SDD estimates for P. panurensis (179 ± 16 m; mean ± SD) were significantly lower than for L. cymosa (266 ± 59 m; mean ± SD).Differences among methods were related to processes of the seed dispersal loop integrated by the respective methods (e.g., seed deposition or seedling distribution). We discuss the merits and limitations of each method and highlight the aspects to be considered when comparing SDD derived from different methodologies. Differences among plant species were related to differences in reproductive traits influencing gut passage time and feeding behavior, highlighting the importance of plant traits on animal-mediated seed dispersal distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana A. Gelmi‐Candusso
- Verhaltensökologie & SoziobiologieDeutsches Primatenzentrum – Leibniz‐Institut für PrimatenforschungGöttingenGermany
| | - Ronald Bialozyt
- Conservation BiologyPhillips‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
- Present address:
Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche VersuchsanstaltGöttingenGermany
| | - Darja Slana
- Verhaltensökologie & SoziobiologieDeutsches Primatenzentrum – Leibniz‐Institut für PrimatenforschungGöttingenGermany
| | | | - Eckhard W. Heymann
- Verhaltensökologie & SoziobiologieDeutsches Primatenzentrum – Leibniz‐Institut für PrimatenforschungGöttingenGermany
| | - Katrin Heer
- Conservation BiologyPhillips‐Universität MarburgMarburgGermany
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18
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Kelt DA, Heske EJ, Lambin X, Oli MK, Orrock JL, Ozgul A, Pauli JN, Prugh LR, Sollmann R, Sommer S. Advances in population ecology and species interactions in mammals. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe study of mammals has promoted the development and testing of many ideas in contemporary ecology. Here we address recent developments in foraging and habitat selection, source–sink dynamics, competition (both within and between species), population cycles, predation (including apparent competition), mutualism, and biological invasions. Because mammals are appealing to the public, ecological insight gleaned from the study of mammals has disproportionate potential in educating the public about ecological principles and their application to wise management. Mammals have been central to many computational and statistical developments in recent years, including refinements to traditional approaches and metrics (e.g., capture-recapture) as well as advancements of novel and developing fields (e.g., spatial capture-recapture, occupancy modeling, integrated population models). The study of mammals also poses challenges in terms of fully characterizing dynamics in natural conditions. Ongoing climate change threatens to affect global ecosystems, and mammals provide visible and charismatic subjects for research on local and regional effects of such change as well as predictive modeling of the long-term effects on ecosystem function and stability. Although much remains to be done, the population ecology of mammals continues to be a vibrant and rapidly developing field. We anticipate that the next quarter century will prove as exciting and productive for the study of mammals as has the recent one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A Kelt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Edward J Heske
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Madan K Oli
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John L Orrock
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Arpat Ozgul
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan N Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Laura R Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Sommer
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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19
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Oleksy RZ, Ayady CL, Tatayah V, Jones C, Howey PW, Froidevaux JSP, Racey PA, Jones G. The movement ecology of the Mauritian flying fox ( Pteropus niger): a long-term study using solar-powered GSM/GPS tags. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2019; 7:12. [PMID: 31016019 PMCID: PMC6463659 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-019-0156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) are large bats that often roost in the sun, hence solar-powered GPS/GSM devices can track their movements over extended periods. The endemic Mauritian flying fox (Pteropus niger) has recently been subjected to large-scale culling because of perceived damage to commercial fruit, and a consequent reduction in numbers of > 50% since 2015 resulted in its IUCN Red List Status being up-listed to Endangered. Determining its movements will be important for management and conservation, for understanding potential responses to environmental change, and for understanding population admixture. METHODS Twelve bats were tagged with solar-powered GPS/GSM devices in 2014-2016. Tags remained active for up to almost a year (maximum 359 days: average 139 days (males) and 93 days (females)), providing some of the longest-term data on the movement ecology of bats yet obtained. Eight bats were probably hunted illegally, highlighting the scale of unauthorised persecution. RESULTS Males travelled on average 9 km each night, females 6 km. The nightly distance covered by adults of both sexes was higher in winter than in summer, though the opposite pattern occurred for immature males. These differences are probably related to seasonal changes in fruit availability (adults) and to dispersal by immature males. The maximum distance covered during one night was > 92 km. Home ranges of males averaged 74,633 ha, females 31,072 ha. Core foraging areas averaged 2222 ha for males, 1364 ha for females. Fifty roosts were identified, mainly in forest fragments. As the bats disperse seeds of native plants that form forest canopies, conservation of the bats will potentially maintain and enhance native forest cover, in turn providing roosting sites for the bats. CONCLUSIONS Solar-powered GSM tagging provides unprecedented potential for understanding the movement ecology of flying foxes. Mauritian flying foxes often move between the few remnant native forest fragments, which remain important for their conservation, and have potentially important roles in seed dispersal. Their nomadic movement fits with their panmictic genetic structure. Although their ability for long distance movements, sometimes over short timescales, permits rapid responses to local threats and environmental change, being restricted to Mauritius renders the bats extremely vulnerable to intense culling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Z. Oleksy
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ UK
- Department of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Science Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Ecosystem Restoration Alliance Indian Ocean, No. 7 Site and Services, Circonstance, St. Pierre, Mauritius
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Charles L. Ayady
- Ecosystem Restoration Alliance Indian Ocean, No. 7 Site and Services, Circonstance, St. Pierre, Mauritius
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Vikash Tatayah
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Carl Jones
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Channel Islands JE3 5BP Jersey
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius
| | - Paul W. Howey
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc, 8835 Columbia, 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045 USA
| | - Jérémy S. P. Froidevaux
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ UK
| | - Paul A. Racey
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE UK
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ UK
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20
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Bennett AJ, Bushmaker T, Cameron K, Ondzie A, Niama FR, Parra HJ, Mombouli JV, Olson SH, Munster VJ, Goldberg TL. Diverse RNA viruses of arthropod origin in the blood of fruit bats suggest a link between bat and arthropod viromes. Virology 2018; 528:64-72. [PMID: 30576861 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bats host diverse viruses due to their unique ecology, behavior, and immunology. However, the role of other organisms with which bats interact in nature is understudied as a contributor to bat viral diversity. We discovered five viruses in the blood of fruit bats (Hypsignathus monstrosus) from the Republic of Congo. Of these five viruses, four have phylogenetic and genomic features suggesting an arthropod origin (a dicistrovirus, a nodavirus, and two tombus-like viruses), while the fifth (a hepadnavirus) is clearly of mammalian origin. We also report the parallel discovery of related tombus-like viruses in fig wasps and primitive crane flies from bat habitats, as well as high infection rates of bats with haemosporidian parasites (Hepatocystis sp.). These findings suggest transmission between arthropods and bats, perhaps through ingestion or hyperparasitism (viral infection of bat parasites). Some "bat-associated" viruses may be epidemiologically linked to bats through their ecological associations with invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Bennett
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Trenton Bushmaker
- Laboratory of Virology, Virus Ecology Unit, Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, USA
| | - Kenneth Cameron
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Health Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alain Ondzie
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Health Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Fabien R Niama
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | | | | | - Sarah H Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Health Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vincent J Munster
- Laboratory of Virology, Virus Ecology Unit, Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, USA
| | - Tony L Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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21
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Roost of Gray Flying Foxes (Pteropus griseus) in Indonesia and Records of a New Hunting Threat. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/d10030102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pteropus griseus (gray flying fox) is a species of Old World fruit bat that is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Data Deficient. The species is found on small islands in the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi, and is endemic to Indonesia, but no contemporary roosts are known, and the last study of the species was in Timor in the Lesser Sundas. In this study, we describe the first known day roost in Sulawesi for Pteropus griseus and collected anecdotal evidence regarding conservation threats to the colony. We compared data from flying foxes collected from this roost to other P. griseus specimens and those of closely related co-occurring species to confirm its identity. We confirmed that this roost is likely of Pteropus griseus, though the subspecies identity remains to be determined. However, it is newly threatened by middlemen traders of bat meat from North Sulawesi arriving to encourage local villagers near the roost to hunt the bats. Elevated levels of hunting may deplete the entire colony in a single season should no conservation action be taken to safeguard the roost.
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22
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Kessler MK, Becker DJ, Peel AJ, Justice NV, Lunn T, Crowley DE, Jones DN, Eby P, Sánchez CA, Plowright RK. Changing resource landscapes and spillover of henipaviruses. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1429:78-99. [PMID: 30138535 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Old World fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) provide critical pollination and seed dispersal services to forest ecosystems across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In each of these regions, pteropodids have been identified as natural reservoir hosts for henipaviruses. The genus Henipavirus includes Hendra virus and Nipah virus, which regularly spill over from bats to domestic animals and humans in Australia and Asia, and a suite of largely uncharacterized African henipaviruses. Rapid change in fruit bat habitat and associated shifts in their ecology and behavior are well documented, with evidence suggesting that altered diet, roosting habitat, and movement behaviors are increasing spillover risk of bat-borne viruses. We review the ways that changing resource landscapes affect the processes that culminate in cross-species transmission of henipaviruses, from reservoir host density and distribution to within-host immunity and recipient host exposure. We evaluate existing evidence and highlight gaps in knowledge that are limiting our understanding of the ecological drivers of henipavirus spillover. When considering spillover in the context of land-use change, we emphasize that it is especially important to disentangle the effects of habitat loss and resource provisioning on these processes, and to jointly consider changes in resource abundance, quality, and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.,The Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Alison J Peel
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nathan V Justice
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Tamika Lunn
- The Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Daniel E Crowley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Devin N Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Peggy Eby
- The School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cecilia A Sánchez
- The Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,The Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
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23
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Florens F, Baider C, Marday V, Martin G, Zmanay Z, Oleksy R, Krivek G, Vincenot C, Strasberg D, Kingston T. Disproportionately large ecological role of a recently mass-culled flying fox in native forests of an oceanic island. J Nat Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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