Novel plant–frugivore network on Mauritius is unlikely to compensate for the extinction of seed dispersers

Julia H. Heinen; F. B. Vincent Florens; Cláudia Baider; Julian P. Hume; W. Daniel Kissling; Robert J. Whittaker; Carsten Rahbek; Michael K. Borregaard

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-36669-9

Nature Communications (Feb 2023)

Novel plant–frugivore network on Mauritius is unlikely to compensate for the extinction of seed dispersers

Julia H. Heinen,
F. B. Vincent Florens,
Cláudia Baider,
Julian P. Hume,
W. Daniel Kissling,
Robert J. Whittaker,
Carsten Rahbek,
Michael K. Borregaard

Affiliations

Julia H. Heinen: Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
F. B. Vincent Florens: Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, TIBEC Pole of Research, University of Mauritius
Cláudia Baider: The Mauritius Herbarium, Agricultural Services, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security
Julian P. Hume: Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum
W. Daniel Kissling: Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam
Robert J. Whittaker: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford
Carsten Rahbek: Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
Michael K. Borregaard: Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36669-9
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Many plant species depend on frugivores for seed dispersal. Here, the authors investigate plant-frugivore networks in Mauritius, finding that the new interactions gained from the arrival of non-native seed predators are unlikely to compensate for the extinction of seed dispersers.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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