Whole angiosperms Wolffia columbiana disperse by gut passage through wildfowl in South America. (21st December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva, G. G.; Green, A. J.; Weber, V.; Hoffmann, P.; Lovas-Kiss, Á.; Stenert, C.; Maltchik, L.
• Is Part Of: Biology letters. Volume 14:Number 12(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-12-21
• Subjects: Anatidae -- avian vectors -- duckweed -- endozoochory -- plant dispersal -- vegetative propagule; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0703
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9561

Abstract

Abstract : For the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate that whole angiosperm individuals can survive gut passage through birds, and that this occurs in the field. Floating plants of the genus Wolffia are the smallest of all flowering plants. Fresh droppings of white-faced whistling duck Dendrocygna viduata ( n = 49) and coscoroba swan Coscoroba coscoroba ( n = 22) were collected from Brazilian wetlands. Intact Wolffia columbiana were recovered from 16% of D. viduata and 32% of Coscoroba samples (total = 164 plantlets). The viability of plants was tested, and asexual reproduction was confirmed. Wolffia columbiana is an expanding alien in Europe. Avian endozoochory of asexual angiosperm propagules may be an important, overlooked dispersal means for aquatic plants, and may contribute to the invasive character of alien species.