Animal‐Mediated Dispersal and Clonal Growth Drive Prunus cerasus Invasion in Andean Temperate Forest

Invasive cherry (Prunus cerasus) expansion in Los Alerces National Park is driven by long-distance seed dispersal by foxes and clonal growth, with animals playing a critical role in early invasion stages. Research identified foxes as primary vectors for seeds traveling over 1 km, while birds dispersed most seeds within 30 m. Over six years (2013-2018), the study found that 100% of saplings in initial invasion phases originated from depulped seeds, whereas clonality dominated later stages. Foxes accounted for 44% of long-distance dispersal, while birds handled short-range movement. The findings highlight the dual importance of animal-mediated dispersal and clonal reproduction in shaping invasive species dynamics across different invasion phases.

Berrondo, M. O., & Bravo, S. P. (2026). Animal‐Mediated Dispersal and Clonal Growth Drive Prunus cerasus Invasion in Andean Temperate Forest. Integrative Zoology. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.70168