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The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a seed disperser in a coastal dune system

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish whether rabbit endozoochory affects plant community structure and whether it contributes to the dispersal of new species to areas open to colonisation. Fresh pellets were collected throughout the study area and from the youngest sandbars. The series of bars represents a gradient in terms of their age and Retama monosperma cover. At least 14 different species germinated from rabbit pellets and seed dispersal were observed throughout the year. Our results indicate that endozoochory is very important in dune ecosystems as it allows for the dispersal and colonisation of plants species with no evident dispersal mechanisms and those with several dispersal mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

This article is part of the doctoral thesis that the first author carried out at the University of Seville (Spain). We thank the staff of the Paraje Natural Marismas del Río Piedras y Flecha de El Rompido for allowing us the use of the site. Family, students and friends generously helped with the fieldwork.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Ap.1095, 41080, Sevilla, Spain

    C. M. Dellafiore, J. B. Gallego Fernández & S. Muñoz Vallés

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  1. C. M. Dellafiore
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  2. J. B. Gallego Fernández
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  3. S. Muñoz Vallés
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Correspondence to C. M. Dellafiore.

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Dellafiore, C.M., Gallego Fernández, J.B. & Muñoz Vallés, S. The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a seed disperser in a coastal dune system. Plant Ecol 206, 251–261 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-009-9639-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-009-9639-7

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