Small size does not restrain frugivory and seed dispersal across the evolutionary radiation of Galapagos lava lizards

Frugivory in lizards is often assumed to be constrained by body size;only large individuals are considered capable of consuming fruits, with the potential of acting as seed dispersers. However, only one previous study has tested the correlation of frugivory with body and head size at an archipelago scale across closely related species. All nine lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) were studied on the eleven largest Galapagos islands from 2010 to 2016 to investigate whether frugivory is related to body and head size. We also tested whether fruit abunda nee in flue nces fruit con sumption and explored the effect of seed ingestion on seedling emergence time and percentage. Our results showed that across islands, lava lizards varied considerably in size (64-102 mm in mean snoutvent length) and level of frugivory (1-23%, i.e., percentage of droppings with seeds). However, level of frugivory was only weakly affected by size as fruit consumption was also common among small lizards. Lava lizards consumed fruits throughout the year and factors other than fruit abundance may be more importa nt drivers of fruit selecti on (e.g., fruit size, energy con tent of pulp). From 2,530 droppings, 1,714 seeds of at least 61 plant species were identified, 76% of the species being native to the Galapagos. Most seeds (91%) showed no external structural damage. Seedling emergence time (44 versus 118 days) and percentage (20% versus 12%) were enhanced for lizardingested seeds compared to control (uningested) fruits. De-pulping by lizards (i.e., removal of pulp with potential germi nation inhibitors) might in crease the chances that at least some seeds find suitable recruitment conditi ons. We con eluded that lizards are importa nt seed dispersers throughout the year and across the whole archipelago, regardless of body size.

Potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across the Galápagos Islands

Lizards have been reported as important pollinators on several oceanic islands.Here we evaluate the potential role of Galápagos lava lizards(Microlophus spp.)as pollinators across their radiation.Over 3 years,we sampled pollen transport by 9 lava lizard species on the 10 islands where they are present,including 7 single-island endemics.Overall,only 25 of 296 individuals sampled(8.4%)transported pollen of 10 plant species,the most common being Prosopis juliflora,Exodeconus miersii,Sesuvium sp.and Cordia leucophlyctis.At least 8 of these plant species were native,and none were confirmed as introduced to the archipelago.Despite the low overall proportion of individuals carrying pollen,this was observed in 7 of the nine lizard species,and on 8 of the ten main islands(Española,Fernandina,Floreana,Isabela,Marchena,Pinta,Santa Cruz and Santiago),suggesting that this is a widespread interaction.The results reported here support the potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across their radiation,although they may represent a relatively modest contribution when compared with birds and insects.However,we cannot discard that lizards may be ecologically significant for particular plant species and ecosystems given the specific climatic condition and functional diversity of each island.

Frugivory and seed dispersal in the Galápagos:what is the state of the art?

The Galápagos are considered a model oceanic archipelago,with unique flora and fauna currently threatened by alien invasive species.Seed dispersal is an important ecosystem function with consequences for plant population dynamics and vegetation structure.Hence,understanding the seed dispersal abilities of the assemblages of frugivores will inform scientists and managers of the dynamics of plant invasions and improve management planning.Here we provide the first comprehensive review of published information on frugivory and animal seed dispersal in the Galápagos.We collected data from a variety of sources,including notes of the first naturalist expeditions,gray literature available only in Galápagos collections,and peer-reviewed journal articles.Plant–animal frugivorous interactions were retrieved from 43 studies and compiled into an interaction matrix describing 366 unique interactions.Most studies focused on fruit consumption as a driving force for natural selection,but seed fate was seldom considered.Although most(71%)of the interactions involved native plants,more than one-quarter(28%)involved introduced species.Interactions involving birds are considerably more common than those of reptiles and mammals,probably reflecting a research bias towards birds.Despite the historical importance of the archipelago as the laboratory for evolutionary and ecological research,understanding of its seed dispersal systems is limited.We end the review by suggesting 3 priority areas of research on frugivory and seed dispersal in the Galápagos:(i)target research to close knowledge gaps;(ii)the use of a network approach to frame seed dispersal at the community level;and(iii)evaluation of the effect of seed dispersal as a selective pressure acting upon plants and frugivores.Finally,the output of this research has to be properly delivered to the Galápagos National Park Services to help increase management effectiveness.

Red deer as a disperser of native,but not invasive plants’seeds

INTRODUCTION Seed dispersal is a key process in the life cycle of most plants,with ecological and evolutionary consequences that go beyond vegetation dynamics and cascade to entire ecosystem functioning and stability(Traveset et al.2014).Seed dispersal largely constrains plant recruitment and the distribution of future plant cohorts,thus playing a critical role in the restoration of disturbed sites(Cain et al.2000;Higgins et al.2003).It can also threaten plant diversity by facilitating plant invasions(Vavra et al.2007;Heleno 2020).