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-Simple linear regression of the number of Dromiciops gliroides on predictor variables of the competitive logistic and multiple regression models for sample plots in Llao-Llao Municipal Reserve in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Coefficients of determination (r 2 ) and P-values are shown. Larger dots represent more than 1 data point.
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Context 1
... of D. gliroides.-Dromiciops gliroides was captured in the first 4 nights of trapping at 10 of the 12 plots, but local abundance varied substantially among plots (Fig. 1). Within a plot the number of captures of different individuals ranged from 0 to 45, and the number of individuals recaptured at least once ranged from 0 to 24. The 2 plots where no animals were captured were the only plots with ,10% bamboo cover. These plots, and 2 additional plots where D. gliroides was recorded, also had no ...
Context 2
... D. gliroides increased as the number of reproductive mistletoe plants or crop size of mistletoe increased (Fig. 1). Bamboo cover and abundance of D. gliroides were not related (Fig. 1). Similarly, crop size of A. chilensis and other habitat variables explained little variation in the abundance of D. gliroides (Fig. ...
Context 3
... D. gliroides increased as the number of reproductive mistletoe plants or crop size of mistletoe increased (Fig. 1). Bamboo cover and abundance of D. gliroides were not related (Fig. 1). Similarly, crop size of A. chilensis and other habitat variables explained little variation in the abundance of D. gliroides (Fig. ...
Context 4
... D. gliroides increased as the number of reproductive mistletoe plants or crop size of mistletoe increased (Fig. 1). Bamboo cover and abundance of D. gliroides were not related (Fig. 1). Similarly, crop size of A. chilensis and other habitat variables explained little variation in the abundance of D. gliroides (Fig. ...
Similar publications
Significance
Examining the effects of species gains and losses is fundamental to understanding the assembly and disassembly of ecological communities in a changing world. However, field-based empirical studies that demonstrate the disassembly of mutualistic webs are exceedingly rare. In this study, we take advantage of an ongoing natural experiment...
Citations
... By contrast, the Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) uses a high proportion of bryophytes in its nest [29]. The aye-aye (Duabentonia madagascariensis), a primate from Madagascar, builds nests high in trees from twigs and leaves [35], whereas bamboo is an important source of nest material and nest sites for the Monito del monte (Dromiciops gliroides), a South American marsupial [36]. Willie et al. [25] reported that western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Cameroon, had preferences for herbs of the families Marantaceae and Zingiberaceae and woody species of Manniophyton fulvum (liana) and Alchornea floribunda (shrub). ...
Nesting behaviour in mammals has been investigated in a wide variety of species but to date there has not been any scholarly review of the incidence and roles of these nests. Not all mammals build nests but, while some large species regularly build nests, nest-building behaviour is more commonly associated with small mammals weighing less than a kilogram. Quantitative data for the amounts of different materials used in a nest are rarely reported but mammal nests are typically constructed from fresh (rather than dead) plant materials. Animal-derived materials seem to be rare in nests, but anthropogenic materials are reported. Few studies have examined the roles these different materials play but more physically robust materials provide support for the structure. Many mammal nests have maternity roles, but a variety of other roles were recognized. A wide range of mammalian orders use nests for resting and environmental protection. Less common roles were as sites for torpor or hibernation, or as a refuge from predation, or the materials may have anti-parasite properties. These different roles were often not mutually exclusive. It is hoped that this review will stimulate interest in the functional properties of mammalian nests. It also suggests various themes that would be interesting areas for future research.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘The evolutionary ecology of nests: a cross-taxon approach’.
... The mistletoe provides a unique nectar resource for the generalist hummingbird during winter, supporting resident populations in the forest [18,26]. Its fruits allow the marsupial to increase its abundance and sustain the dispersal of other fleshy fruited species [27,28]. Non-native ungulates (deer and cattle) disrupt this keystone interaction via herbivory on the main host of the mistletoe, Aristotelia chilensis, and by causing changes to the vegetation structure. ...
Species interactions are critical for maintaining community structure and dynamics, but the effects of invasive species on multitrophic networks remain poorly understood. We leveraged an ongoing invasion scenario in Patagonia, Argentina, to explore how non-native ungulates affect multi-trophic networks. Ungulates disrupt a hummingbird-mistletoe-marsupial keystone interaction, which alters community composition. We sampled pollination and seed dispersal interactions in intact and invaded sites. We constructed pollination and seed dispersal networks for each site, which we connected via shared plants. We calculated pollination-seed dispersal connectivity, identified clusters of highly connected species, and quantified species' roles in connecting species clusters. To link structural variation to stability, we quantified network tolerance to single random species removal (disturbance propagation) and sequential species removal (robustness) using a stochastic coextinction model. Ungulates reduced the connectivity between pollination and seed dispersal and produced fewer clusters with a skewed size distribution. Moreover, species shifted their structural role, fragmenting the network by reducing the 'bridges' among species clusters. These structural changes altered the dynamics of cascading effects, increasing disturbance propagation and reducing network robustness. Our results highlight invasive species' role in altering community structure and subsequent stability in multitrophic communities.
... The mistletoe provides a unique nectar resource for the generalist hummingbird during winter, supporting resident populations in the forest [20,21]. Its fruits allow the marsupial to increase its abundance and hence sustain the dispersal of other fleshy fruited species [22,23]. Non-native ungulates (deer and cattle; Methods) disrupt this keystone interaction via herbivory on the main host of the mistletoe, Aristotelia chilensis, and by causing changes to the vegetation structure. ...
Species interactions are the backbone of the structure and dynamics of communities. The extensive research into the link between structure and stability has been primarily theoretical and focused on monotrophic networks. Therefore, how the disruption of multitrophic interactions alters communities' response to perturbations in nature remains an open question. Here, we explored how non-native ungulates affect pollination-seed dispersal multilayer networks in Patagonia, Argentina. Ungulates disrupt a hummingbird-mistletoe-marsupial keystone interaction, which alters community composition. We calculated interlayer connectivity, modularity, and species' roles in connecting modules for intact vs. invaded networks. To link structural changes to stability, we quantified network tolerance to a single random species removal (disturbance propagation) and sequential species removal (robustness) using a stochastic coextinction model. Non-native ungulates reduced the connectivity between pollination and seed dispersal and produced fewer modules with a skewed size distribution. Moreover, species shifted their structural role, primarily from connectors to peripherals, thereby fragmenting the network by reducing the "bridges" among modules. These structural changes altered the dynamics of cascading effects in the community, increasing disturbance propagation and reducing network robustness. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms that alter the structure and subsequent stability of multitrophic communities in nature.
... Besides tree cavities, D. gliroides is often associated with the native bamboo Chusquea quila [58], a major component of its nests [59,60]. Bamboo cover is also an important habitat feature for understory birds at these forests [56]. ...
Background
Habitat fragmentation and degradation processes affect biodiversity by reducing habitat quantity and quality, with differential effects on the resident species. However, their consequences are not always noticeable as some ecological processes affected involve idiosyncratic responses among different animal groups. The Valdivian temperate rainforests of southern Chile are experiencing a rapid fragmentation and degradation process despite being a biodiversity hotspot. Deforestation is one of the main threats to these forests. There inhabits the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops gliroides , an iconic species from the Valdivian rainforest, it is the only extant representative of the ancient Microbiotheria order, and it is currently threatened by habitat loss. Here we tested the effects of habitat configuration on D. gliroides occurrence and abundance along 12 landscapes of southern Chile with different disturbance levels.
Methods
We estimated D. gliroides occurrence and abundance using camera traps and related those metrics with landscape configuration indices obtained from FRAGSTATS (i.e., forest %, connectivity, patch number, contiguity, and distance to the nearest patch) using Bayesian linear mixed models.
Results
We found that D. gliroides occurrence was not influenced by landscape configuration, while its abundance was positively influenced by forest contiguity.
Conclusions
Although this arboreal marsupial is present in disturbed forests, its restricted movement capabilities and high dependency on the forest three-dimensional structure may affect its long-term persistence. We urge to rethink native forest conservation and management policies to improve habitat connectivity with possible positive consequences for native fauna.
... Animals must adjust their behavior to optimize their foraging time while minimizing risks (Di Virgilio et al. 2014) and respond to climate changes and food availability, which may lead to seasonal behavioral variation (Stokes et al. 2001;Donati et al. 2016;Pagon et al. 2013). In turn, animal activity is linked with structural characteristics depending on their habitat requirements, such as escape from predation, foraging efficiency, or reproduction demands (Sieving et al. 1996;Rodriguez-Cabal and Branch 2011;Bro-Jørgensen 2008;Connolly and Orrock 2018). For example, small nocturnal mammals perceive moonlight as an indirect cue of predation risk, so they modify their behavior by reducing the use of open space or foraging activity on the brightest nights (Griffin et al. 2005;Stokes et al. 2001;Di Virgilio et al. 2014;Kotler et al. 2010;Orrock et al. 2004). ...
... Dromiciops gliroides is strongly associated with old-growth Nothofagus forests which have a dense bamboo (Chusquea spp.) understory (Rodriguez-Cabal and Branch 2011;Fontúrbel et al. 2012). However, it can also thrive in shortstatured forests with a low density of shrubs (Patterson et al. 1990), in riparian corridors (Smith-Ramirez et al. 2010), Myrtaceae-dominated second-growth forests (Fontúrbel et al. 2010), and matrices of exotic tree plantations (Uribe et al. 2017;Salazar and Fonturbel 2016). ...
... All estimates of structural variables were made by the same person (MSV) to minimize potential bias. All these microscale spatial variables (shrub cover, tree cover, and accessibility) are relevant to D. gliroides and have been considered in previous studies (Tiribelli et al. 2017;Salazar and Fonturbel 2016;Rodriguez-Cabal and Branch 2011;Rodríguez-Gómez and Fontúrbel 2020). ...
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity can affect animal activity patterns under environmental conditions that fluctuate over time and space. The activity timing and habitat structure are essential components of the animals' choices. Here we studied the spatio-temporal activity dynamics of an arboreal marsupial (Dromiciops gliroides) with a key ecological role, endemic to the Andean Patagonian forest. Using camera traps and live traps, we determined temporal variations and the effect of the spatial variables at the micro (habitat structure)- and macro (forest type and geographic location)-scales on the activity patterns of D. gliroides. We built a hierarchical regression model to accommodate variation at both temporal and spatial levels. At a temporal level, we found that D. gliroides was affected by seasonality, increasing their activity toward the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn. At a spatial level, habitat structure was extremely important for this marsupial, particularly shrub cover which positively affected D. gliroides activity. Behavioral adjustments that we documented may be driven by differences in resource availability or predator avoidance. These findings help to understand the mechanisms modulating the activity of D. gliroides, essential for the conservation of this species with an ecological role that allows extended positive consequences to the whole forest community. Our results further support the importance of understory conservation for the survival of this species and warn about the negative consequences of habitat degradation.
... Bird-dispersed mistletoes generally show a patchy distribution, which is attributable to birds' eating, roosting, and nesting behaviors [39,54,[315][316][317]. Forests with endemic marsupial seed dispersers may hold a similar analogy for effects on mistletoe prevalence and distributions [296,[318][319][320]. Many host factors, such as tree diversity [86,273], height, crown width [43,49,295,[321][322][323], and bark type [267], as well as the recently studied stand characteristics [105], regulate mistletoes' colonization and density. ...
Mistletoes have been considered a keystone resource for biodiversity, as well as a remarkable source of medicinal attributes that attract pharmacologists. Due to their hemiparasitic nature, mistletoes leach water and nutrients, including primary and secondary metabolites, through the vascular systems of their plant hosts, primarily trees. As a result of intense mistletoe infection, the hosts suffer various growth and physiological detriments, which often lead to tree mortality. Because of their easy dispersal and widespread tropism, mistletoes have become serious pests for commercial fruit and timber plantations. A variety of physical and chemical treatment methods,
along with silvicultural practices, have shaped conventional mistletoe management. Others, however, have either failed to circumvent the growing range and tropism of these parasitic plants or present significant environmental and public health risks. A biocontrol approach that could sidestep these issues has never achieved full proof of concept in real-field applications. Our review discusses the downsides of conventional mistletoe control techniques and explores the possibilities of biotechnological approaches using biocontrol agents and transgenic technologies. It is possible that smart management options will pave the way for technologically advanced solutions to mitigate mistletoes that are yet to be exploited.
... Since many of Worldclim bioclimatic variables are highly correlated, to avoid errors produced by multicolinearity of data, we chose eight bioclimatic variables from the 19 available in WORLDCLIM version 2.0 (Fick and Hijmans 2017). Our selection criteria were based on Pearson correlation analysis (r < 0.9) (Tabachnick and Fidell 2007) and the relative relevance of each variable for the species as derived from prior ecological and ecophysiological studies (Table 1) (Amico et al. 2009;Rodriguez-Cabal and Branch 2011;Rodríguez-Gómez and Fontúrbel 2020;Vazquez et al. 2021a;Fonturbel et al. 2022;Nespolo et al. 2022a, b). The eight selected bioclimatic variables are derived from temperature and rainfall values. ...
The Monitos del monte (genus Dromiciops) are endemic marsupials displaying a key ecological role inside the Patagon-ian temperate forest, a region of hotspot for biodiversity. Here, we predicted the potential distribution of D. gliroides and D. bozinovici and evaluated their conservation issues by quantifying the protected surface of both species. We found that Annual precipitation, Precipitation of Warmest Quarter and Precipitation Seasonality, Max Temperature of Warmest Month and Isothermality were the main environmental determinants in the models. Each species showed particular requirements, suggesting an environmental niche partitioning. On the other hand, we found that only 15% of the total potential distribution area for D. bozinovici and 24% for D. gliroides are currently protected. Although both species are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, the current situation for D. bozinovici is more critical. Overall, our study provides useful information for the management of the most critical areas for Dromiciops conservation.
... However, since this is the first time that hibernation of monitos has been studied in the field, in the absence of data about the ability of monitos to resist fasting, we decided to be conservative (as it was also a requirement of the ethics committee). Dromiciops gliroides is an omnivorous marsupial with well-known dietary preferences (Cortes et al. 2011;Rodriguez-Cabal and Branch 2011;Contreras et al. 2014) that has occasionally been reported active during winter (Muñoz-Pedreros et al. 2005;Quijano 2008). Thus, to simulate a situation where energy offer is available ad lib. ...
During the past 60 years, mammalian hibernation (i.e., seasonal torpor) has been interpreted as a physiological adaptation for energy economy. However, direct field comparisons of energy expenditure and torpor use in hibernating and active free-ranging animals are scarce. Here, we followed the complete hibernation cycle of a fat-storing hibernator, the marsupial Dromiciops gli-roides, in its natural habitat. Using replicated mesocosms, we experimentally manipulated energy availability and measured torpor use, hibernacula use, and social clustering throughout the entire hibernation season. Also, we measured energy flow using daily food intake, daily energy expenditure (DEE), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in winter. We hypothesized that when facing chronic caloric restriction (CCR), a hibernator should maximize torpor frequency to compensate for the energetic deficit, compared with individuals fed ad lib. (controls). However, being torpid at low temperatures could increase other burdens (e.g., cost of rewarming, freezing risks). Our results revealed that CCR animals, compared with control animals, did not promote heat conservation strategies (i.e., clustering and hibernacula use). Instead , they gradually increased torpor frequency and reduced DEE and, as a consequence, recovered weight at the end of the season. Also, CCR animals consumed food at a rate of 50.8 kJ d 21 , whereas control animals consumed food at a rate of 98.4 kJ d 21. Similarly, the DEE of CCR animals in winter was 47:3 5 5:64 kJ d 21 , which was significantly lower than control animals (DEE p 88:0 5 5:84 kJ d 21). However, BMR and lean mass of CCR and control animals did not vary significantly, suggesting that animals maintained full metabolic capacities. This study shows that the use of torpor can be modulated depending on energy supply, thus optimizing energy budgeting. This plasticity in the use of het-erothermy as an energy-saving strategy would explain the occurrence of this marsupial in a broad latitudinal and altitudinal range. Overall, this study suggests that hibernation is a powerful strategy to modulate energy expenditure in mammals from temperate regions.
... Consequently, T. corymbosus abundance and distribution is spatially correlated with Dromiciops presence (Fontúrbel et al., 2017a;García et al., 2009;Rodríguez-Cabal & Branch, 2011). ...
... Nothofagus spp. and Myrtaceae plants (Rodríguez-Cabal & Branch, 2011), influencing the particularities of Dromiciops nest. Nests are considered part of an organism's "extended phenotype" (Rubalcaba et al., 2016), imprinted by the same combination of environmental and genetic factors of standard phenotypic variation. ...
... Since Dromiciops distribution and abundance are influenced by several factors (particularly bamboo and mistletoe abundance; Rodríguez-Cabal & Branch, 2011), transformed habitats can give valuable insights on Dromiciops persistence probabilities in a changing world. A telemetry-based study (Salazar & Fontúrbel, 2016) showed that D. gliroides movement behavior was similar between native and transformed habitats (and consistent with other locations reported by Fontúrbel et al., 2012). ...
The arboreal marsupial monito del monte (genus Dromiciops, with two recognized species) is a paradigmatic mammal. It is the sole living representative of the order Microbiotheria, the ancestor lineage of Australian marsupials. Also, this marsupial is the unique frugivorous mammal in the temperate rainforest, being the main seed disperser of several endemic plants of this ecosystem, thus acting as keystone species. Dromiciops is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, spending half of the year in a physiological dormancy where metabolism is reduced to 10% of normal levels. This capacity to reduce energy expenditure in winter contrasts with the enormous energy turnover rate they experience in spring and summer. The unique life history strategies of this living Microbiotheria, characterized by an alternation of life in the slow and fast lanes, putatively represent ancestral traits that permitted these cold‐adapted mammals to survive in this environment. Here, we describe the ecological role of this emblematic marsupial, summarizing the ecophysiology of hibernation and sociality, updated phylogeographic relationships, reproductive cycle, trophic relationships, mutualisms, conservation, and threats. This marsupial shows high densities, despite presenting slow reproductive rates, a paradox explained by the unique characteristics of its three‐dimensional habitat. We finally suggest immediate actions to protect these species that may be threatened in the near future due to habitat destruction and climate change. We present a review summarizing the recent advances on the biology of the enigmatic monito del monte, a relict Gondwanan mammal from southern South America.
... Para esto, se estableció un muestreo aleatorio simple en un área de estudio de 24,5 hectáreas, dentro de un remanente de bosque esclerófilo mediterráneo costero (Luebert & Pliscoff 2017), compuesto por una asociación de Cryptocarya alba, Aextoxicon punctatum y Peumus boldus, en compañía de Laurelia sempervirens y Mirtáceas (Luma apiculata, Amomyrtus luma, Myrceugenia obtusa), en un área de altas quebradas adyacentes a la costa. Seleccionamos nueve sitios de muestreo ( Fig. 1; 3 trampas cámara/3 sitios x 27 días; distancia entre trampas de 238 a 518 m) que representaron áreas de bosque homogéneas entre sí con características favorables para la presencia de Dromiciops, como presencia de árboles adultos, troncos caídos, matorrales, hojarasca, tocones y cobertura densa de Chusquea quila (Fontúrbel & Jiménez 2014;Rodriguez-Cabal & Branch 2011). En cada sitio se instaló una trampa cámara (Bushnell trophy cam 2017 modelo 119876 y 119877; StealthCam, Trailhawk Series) entre el 14 de septiembre y 4 de diciembre de 2020. ...
The modification of land use has caused the loss, fragmentation and degradation of the scarce remnant of native forest present in south-central Chile, habitat of marsupials of the genus Dromiciops (Microbiotheria). In this study, we explored the presence of Dromiciops through camera traps in a relict area of coastal mediterranean sclerophyllous forest. The presence of Dromiciops was recorded in four of the nine sites evaluated. This finding corresponds to the first formal record of Dromiciops in this area.
