Contribution by vertebrates to seed dispersal effectiveness in the Galápagos Islands: a community‐wide approach

In the Galápagos Islands, small non-finch passerine birds emerge as the most effective seed dispersers when considering both the quantity of seeds dispersed and their impact on seedling emergence. This study, which analyzed 16 vertebrate species dispersing 58 plant species across lowland and highland habitats, found contrasting patterns based on seed occurrence in droppings versus actual seed dispersal per unit area. While giant tortoises and medium-sized passerines were prominent in seed occurrence data, small non-finch passerines led in effective dispersal, followed by finches and medium-sized passerines. Gut passage effects varied significantly between dispersers and plant species, with medium-sized passerines like mockingbirds often outperforming lava lizards. The research highlights that quantitative measures of seed dispersal are stronger predictors of seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) in the Galápagos archipelago.

Nogales, M., González‐Castro, A., Rumeu, B., Traveset, A., Vargas, P., Jaramillo, P., Olesen, J. M., & Heleno, R. H. (2017). Contribution by vertebrates to seed dispersal effectiveness in the Galápagos Islands: a community‐wide approach. Ecology, 98(8), 2049–2058. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.1816