Vagrant birds as a dispersal vector in transoceanic range expansion of vascular plants.

ABSTRACT: Birds are thought to be important vectors underlying the disjunct distribution patterns of some terrestrial biota. Here, we investigate the role of birds in the colonisation by Ochetophila trinervis (Rhamnaceae), a vascular plant from the southern Andes, of sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The location of O. trinervis on the island far from human activities, in combination with a reconstruction of island visitors' travel history, precludes an anthropogenic introduction. Notably, three bird species occurring in the southern Andes inland have been observed as vagrants on Marion Island, with the barn swallow Hirundo rustica as the most common one. This vagrant displays long-distance migratory behaviour, eats seeds when insects are in short supply, and has started breeding in South America since t

SUBMITTER: Kalwij JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6420631 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature