Evidence for a double mutualistic interaction between a lizard and a Mediterranean gymnosperm, Ephedra fragilis.

ABSTRACT: An increasing number of double mutualisms (i.e. two interacting species benefiting each other in two different functions, e.g. pollination and seed dispersal) have been reported, mainly from island ecosystems, although we still lack much information on how effective such species are in both processes. Here, we assessed the pollination effectiveness of a double mutualism between an ancient Mediterranean gymnosperm, Ephedra fragilis, and a lizard, Podarcis lilfordi. On the one hand, we assessed the lizard contribution to different fitness measures (seed set and germination success), relative to that of insects and the wind effect; on the other, we determined the lizards' seed removal rate (i.e. the quantity component of seed dispersal effectiveness). In both processes, we furth

SUBMITTER: Fuster F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6379517 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature