TY - JOUR
T1 - The connective potential of vertebrate vectors responsible for the dispersal of the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis)
AU - Spennemann, Dirk H.R.
PY - 2019/10
Y1 - 2019/10
N2 - Accelerating human intervention has
seen the creation of novel ecosystems through intentional planting and
adventitious establishment of exotic species. One hundred and fifty
years after its commercialisation by the horticultural industry, the
Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) has become one of
the most ubiquitous ornamental palm species throughout all temperate
zones. Even though it has become naturalised in many parts of the world,
colonising natural as well as managed landscapes, little is known about
the vectors responsible for dispersal.This paper reviews the state of knowledge of vertebrate species utilising P. canariensis as habitat and those that feed on the palm’s drupes and disperse their seeds. Globally, P. canariensis
forms a major urban habitat for invasive species. The significant
dispersers are canids and three families of larger volant birds
(Artamidae, Columbidae, and Corvidae). The review demonstrates that the
majority of vectors consume the fruit on the tree or on a close-by
perch, thereby contributing little to medium or long range dispersal. A
few avian and terrestrial species facilitate long-distance dispersal,
even though they too deposit the majority of seed close to the source.The
paper postulates a conceptual model where effective dispersal success
of a horticultural plant is governed not only by the established factors
of distance of dispersal quantity of seeds dispersed and seed
viability, but significantly also by the ability of a vector species to
span several habitat boundaries (e.g. from urban to production
landscapes or remnant vegetation) and to deposit multiple seeds at
tightly defined locations.
AB - Accelerating human intervention has
seen the creation of novel ecosystems through intentional planting and
adventitious establishment of exotic species. One hundred and fifty
years after its commercialisation by the horticultural industry, the
Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) has become one of
the most ubiquitous ornamental palm species throughout all temperate
zones. Even though it has become naturalised in many parts of the world,
colonising natural as well as managed landscapes, little is known about
the vectors responsible for dispersal.This paper reviews the state of knowledge of vertebrate species utilising P. canariensis as habitat and those that feed on the palm’s drupes and disperse their seeds. Globally, P. canariensis
forms a major urban habitat for invasive species. The significant
dispersers are canids and three families of larger volant birds
(Artamidae, Columbidae, and Corvidae). The review demonstrates that the
majority of vectors consume the fruit on the tree or on a close-by
perch, thereby contributing little to medium or long range dispersal. A
few avian and terrestrial species facilitate long-distance dispersal,
even though they too deposit the majority of seed close to the source.The
paper postulates a conceptual model where effective dispersal success
of a horticultural plant is governed not only by the established factors
of distance of dispersal quantity of seeds dispersed and seed
viability, but significantly also by the ability of a vector species to
span several habitat boundaries (e.g. from urban to production
landscapes or remnant vegetation) and to deposit multiple seeds at
tightly defined locations.
KW - Anthropocene
KW - Frugivory
KW - Landscape ecology
KW - Novel ecosystems
KW - Palmaceae
KW - Seed dispersal
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U2 - 10.1016/j.flora.2019.151468
DO - 10.1016/j.flora.2019.151468
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85072267460
SN - 0367-2530
VL - 259
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants
JF - Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants
M1 - 151468
ER -