Li Ning, Yang Wen, Fang Shubo, Li Xinhai, Liu Zhanchen, Leng Xin, An Shuqing
School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Fisheries and Life Science School, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
Integr Zool. 2017 Jan;12(1):26-31. doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12214.
Although seed dispersal is a key process determining the regeneration and spread of invasive plant populations, few studies have explicitly addressed the link between dispersal vector behavior and seedling recruitment to gain insight into the invasion process within an urban garden context. We evaluated the role of bird vectors in the dispersal of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), a North American herb that is invasive in urban gardens in China. Fruiting P. americana attracted both generalist and specialist bird species that fed on and dispersed its seeds. The generalist species Pycnonotus sinensis and Urocissa erythrorhyncha were the most frequent dispersers. Seedling numbers of P. americana were strongly associated with the perching behavior of frugivorous birds. If newly recruited bird species use seedling-safe perching sites, the P. americana will regenerate faster, which would enhance its invasive potential. Based on our observations, we conclude that the 2 main bird vectors, P. sinensis and U. erythrorhyncha, provide potential effective dispersal agents for P. americana. Our results highlight the role of native birds in seed dispersal of invasive plants in urban gardens.
尽管种子传播是决定入侵植物种群更新和扩散的关键过程，但很少有研究明确探讨传播媒介行为与幼苗招募之间的联系，以便深入了解城市花园环境中的入侵过程。我们评估了鸟类媒介在商陆（Phytolacca americana）传播中的作用，商陆是一种北美草本植物，在中国城市花园中具有入侵性。结果表明，结果期的商陆吸引了以其种子为食并传播种子的泛食性和专食性鸟类物种。泛食性物种白头鹎（Pycnonotus sinensis）和红嘴蓝鹊（Urocissa erythrorhyncha）是最频繁的传播者。商陆的幼苗数量与食果鸟类的栖息行为密切相关。如果新加入的鸟类物种使用对幼苗安全的栖息地点，商陆将更快地更新，这将增强其入侵潜力。基于我们的观察，我们得出结论，两种主要的鸟类媒介，即白头鹎和红嘴蓝鹊，为商陆提供了潜在的有效传播媒介。我们的结果突出了本土鸟类在城市花园中入侵植物种子传播中的作用。
