Owl-mediated Diploendozoochorous Seed Dispersal Increases Dispersal Distance and Supports Seedling Establishment

Godó, Laura and Borza, Sándor and Valkó, Orsolya and Rádai, Zoltán and Deák, Balázs (2023) Owl-mediated Diploendozoochorous Seed Dispersal Increases Dispersal Distance and Supports Seedling Establishment. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 45. No.-e02519. ISSN 2351-9894

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Abstract

Seed dispersal is an essential process contributing to the maintenance of plant populations. Zoochory is a widespread way of plant dispersal in every terrestrial ecosystem that can ensure the long-distance dispersal of seeds. Secondary seed dispersal (SSD) by far-ranging raptors is a special type of zoochory, which might have a role in colonizing new habitats. We used the barn owl (Tyto alba) as model species to test the effectivity and seasonality of SSD in open semi-natural landscapes. We collected 582 pellets from six sites in East-Hungary throughout one year. We identified prey items in the pellets and determined the viable seed content of the pellets by germination experiments. We found that herbivorous Microtus arvalis L. was the most abundant prey item through which most of the seeds spread. Owls dispersed the seeds of generalist and disturbancetolerant plants, indicating the habitat type where small mammals occur abundantly. In another experiment we tested the effect of the pellet material on the seedling survival and found that prey remains enhanced establishment of seedlings. Our study suggests that SSD by barn owl is occasional but important event in long-distance seed dispersal. Since the studied owl species uses several habitat types and has larger mobility than the rodents, the revealed dispersal mechanism can considerably increase seed dispersal distance and seed exchange between habitat types.

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