RT Journal Article
T1 The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes
A1 Fedriani, Jose M.
A1 Garrote, Pedro J.
A1 Burgos, Tamara
A1 Escribano Ávila, Gema
A1 Morera, Brayan
A1 Virgós, Emilio
AB The Seed Dispersal Syndrome Hypothesis (SDSH) posits that fruit traits predict the main dispersers interacting with plant species. Mammalian dispersers, relying heavily on olfactory cues, are expected to select dull-colored, scented, and larger fruits compared to birds. However, challenges like overabundant seed predators and context-dependency of frugivore-plant interactions complicate SDSH expectations. We studied the Iberian pear, Pyrus bourgaeana, an expected mammal-dispersed tree based on its fruit traits. Extensive camera-trapping data (over 35,000 records) from several tree populations and years revealed visits from seven frugivore groups, with ungulate fruit predators (59–97%) and carnivore seed dispersers (1–20%) most frequent, while birds, lagomorphs, and rodents were infrequent (0–10%). Red deer and wild boar were also the main fruit removers in all sites and years but acted as fruit and seed predators, and thus likely exert conflicting selection pressures to those exerted by seed dispersers. Although, as predicted by the SDSH, most Iberian pear fruits were consumed by large and medium-sized mammals, the traits of Iberian pear fruits likely reflect selection pressures from dispersal vectors in past times. Our results do not challenge the SDHS but do reveal the importance of considering frugivore functional roles for its adequate evaluation.
PB Springer
SN 2045-2322
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/119088
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/119088
LA eng
NO Fedriani, J.M., Garrote, P.J., Burgos, T. et al. The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes. Sci Rep 14, 5436 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55820-0
NO This study was partially supported by Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation and Universities (ref. PID2022-142067NB-I00, CGL2017- 84633- P, FPU17/04375).
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 20 ene 2026