Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

2012

Journal

MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES

Volume

471

First Page

1

Last Page

10

Abstract

Dispersal is a critical process in the life history of nearly all plant species and can be facilitated by both abiotic and biotic mechanisms. Despite an abundance of vertebrate fauna utilizing seagrass meadows as a feeding area and thus capable of consuming and excreting seeds, little work has been conducted on biotic seed dispersal mechanisms. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether seeds of the seagrass Zostera marina could pass through the digestive systems of resident and transient vertebrates of a seagrass bed and remain viable and (2) determine seed retention times in the guts of each species to estimate dispersal distances of Z. marina seeds by vertebrate dispersers. Excretion and germination rates of consumed seeds for 3 fish species (Fundulus heteroclitus, Sphoeroides maculatus, Lagodon rhomboides), 1 turtle species (Malaclemys terrapin) and 1 waterfowl species (Aythya affinis) showed Z. marina seeds could survive passage through species' digestive systems and successfully germinate. Excretion rates were generally highest for F. heteroclitus, S. maculatus, and M. terrapin, lowest for A. affinis, and moderate for L. rhomboides. Analyses suggest seeds were significantly affected by species' digestive tracts. Maximum dispersal distances are estimated to be 200, 60, 1500, and 19 500 m for F. heteroclitus, L. rhomboides, M. terrapin, and A. affinis, respectively. Data here provide strong evidence that biotic dispersal can occur in Z. marina, and biotically transported seeds can be dispersed to isolated areas unlikely to receive seeds via abiotic mechanisms. Biotic dispersal may rival or exceed abiotic mechanisms. Future seagrass dispersal models should incorporate biotic dispersal as a seed transport mechanism.

DOI

10.3354/meps10145

Keywords

Seeds; Dispersal; Vertebrates; Zostera marina

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