Patterns of frugivory,seed dispersal and predation of blue fan palms (Brahea armata) in oases of northern Baja California |
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| Authors: | EV Wehncke XL Medellín E Ezcurra |
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| Institution: | 1. Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias, San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA;2. Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, UNAM, Mexico;3. UC Institute for Mexico and the United States, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA;1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street MS-519, Houston, TX 77005, USA;2. School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, PO Box 873005, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;3. School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, PO Box 871604, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;4. Pinal County Air Quality Control District, 31 N Pinal St # F, Florence, AZ 85132, USA;5. U.S. EPA, Office of Air and Radiation, 4220 S. Maryland Parkway, Bld. C, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA;6. U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, 944 E. Harmon Ave, Rm. 235, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA;1. College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;2. College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 200090, China;3. College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;1. Department of Biology & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;2. Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany;3. MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal;1. Division of Biological Sciences, 105 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;2. Division of Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science, 411 Central Methodist Square, Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO 65248, USA;3. Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109, USA;4. Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science, 3500 East Gans Road, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;1. Departamento de Biología Vegetal I, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, c/José Antonio Nováis, 2, Madrid, Spain;2. Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain;3. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN, CSIC, C/Serrano 115 dpdo, Madrid, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Variations in spatial and temporal availability of fruits and seeds in oases are important not only for animal seeking resources, but also for palm population dynamics. We explored spatial association patterns between avian frugivores and blue fan palms in two natural palm patches of Baja California. Spatial patterns were analyzed at the individual tree and at 2 ha patches. We evaluated seed predation by vertebrates and invertebrates, and vertebrate seed dispersal around palms. Birds responded to fruit aggregation at the individual tree and the patch scales, but responses varied between patches. Palm fruit variables—the quantity and the phenological phase—and avian visits showed strong spatial aggregation and association at both scales in one patch, but not in the other. The intensities of seed predation and seed dispersal were significantly higher directly below palms than at >3 m away from them. Patches differed in the intensity of seed predation around palms and in the diversity of mammalian dispersers, but not in the intensity of seed dispersal. Blue fan palms function as important resources' focuses for a great number of animals that use palm oases as corridors, bringing seeds as they move and connecting isolated populations of palms. |
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