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

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 1019 - 13
• Main Authors: Heinen, Julia H., Florens, F. B. Vincent, Baider, Cláudia, Hume, Julian P., Kissling, W. Daniel, Whittaker, Robert J., Rahbek, Carsten, Borregaard, Michael K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 23.02.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/158/2178; 631/158/2463; 631/158/672; 631/158/852; 631/158/853; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Dispersion; Ecological function; Ecology; Ecosystem; Endangered & extinct species; Extinct species; Extinction; Frugivores; Fruit; Herbivory; Humanities and Social Sciences; Indigenous plants; Indigenous species; Introduced Species; Investigations; Mammals; Mauritius; multidisciplinary; Native species; Plant communities; Plant species; Predators; Reptiles; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Seed Dispersal; Seeds; Species extinction; Mauritius

Insular communities are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic extinctions and introductions. Changes in composition of island frugivore communities may affect seed dispersal within the native plant community, risking ecological shifts and ultimately co-extinction cascades. Introduced species coul...