干旱区生态环境知识资源中心(Arid): Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) prefer and disperse doll's roses (Hermannia spp.)

Arid

DOI	10.1016/j.jaridenv.2023.105094
	Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) prefer and disperse doll's roses (Hermannia spp.)
	Loehr, Victor J. T.; Keswick, Toby; Barten, Nicole
通讯作者	Loehr, VJT
来源期刊	JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
ISSN	0140-1963
EISSN	1095-922X
出版年	2023
卷号	219
英文摘要	Tortoises inhabit arid regions where they may represent a significant herbivorous component, but are among the most threatened of tetrapod groups. Studying tortoise diets can help predict potential trophic disruptions following extinctions of tortoise populations, and inform conservation. We studied the diet of Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri), an endangered endemic of the arid Nama and Succulent Karoo biomes in South Africa, using vegetation analysis, DNA metabarcoding, morphological evaluation of faeces, a germination trial, and focal feeding observations. DNA metabarcoding was highly successful in the identification of dietary items. Karoo dwarf tortoises fed on a broad diet, including approximately 10 taxa eaten frequently. Specifically, doll's roses (five species in the genus Hermannia) were eaten more frequently than would be expected based on their availability, whereas grasses were rejected, for a dietary Proportional Similarity Index of 0.31-0.38. Dietary selection was likely related to water and nutrient contents of plant taxa. At least four plant species (including doll's roses) germinated from faecal samples, suggesting mutualistic relationships with Karoo dwarf tortoises. The habitat preference of Karoo dwarf tortoises (i.e., well-structured rocky terrain) may provide germination microsites with ample shade and run-off water to benefit seedling recruitment in an arid environment.
英文关键词	Forage Habitat requirements Reptile Seed dispersal Trophic interaction Homopus
类型	Article
语种	英语
开放获取类型	hybrid
收录类别	SCI-E
WOS记录号	WOS:001111977200001
WOS关键词	TROPHIC INTERACTIONS ; GEOCHELONE-PARDALIS ; HABITAT USE ; DIET ; PLANTS ; HERBIVORES ; ECOLOGY ; ZONE
WOS类目	Ecology ; Environmental Sciences
WOS研究方向	Environmental Sciences & Ecology
资源类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://119.78.100.177/qdio/handle/2XILL650/397162
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Loehr, Victor J. T.,Keswick, Toby,Barten, Nicole. Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) prefer and disperse doll's roses (Hermannia spp.)[J],2023,219.
APA	Loehr, Victor J. T.,Keswick, Toby,&Barten, Nicole.(2023).Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) prefer and disperse doll's roses (Hermannia spp.).JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS,219.
MLA	Loehr, Victor J. T.,et al."Karoo dwarf tortoises (Chersobius boulengeri) prefer and disperse doll's roses (Hermannia spp.)".JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS 219(2023).