[Pollinator] Pollination & Seed Dispersal: Evidence for a double mutualistic interaction between a lizard and a Mediterranean gymnosperm

Tue Apr 2 07:48:06 PDT 2019

By William Salter - March 25, 2019

Mutualistic relationships between different species are common in all
ecosystems however double mutualisms, where two interacting species benefit
each other for two different functions, e.g. pollination and seed
dispersal, have been less well documented...A recent study by Fuster &
Traveset published in AoBP provides evidence of a double mutualistic
relationship between the Balearic endemic lizard Podarcis lilfordi and the
plant Ephedra fragilis. This relationship constitutes one of the five
pollination/seed dispersal double mutualisms found around the world between
an animal and a gymnosperm. It also represents the first double mutualism
reported in the Mediterranean region. Although P. lilfordi only contributes
slightly to the pollination of E. fragilis, it does play a crucial role in
the seed dispersal process. In return the plants feeds its only seed
disperser in this islet, by means of pollination drops and the fleshy cone
scales.

Read more:
https://www.botany.one/2019/03/evidence-for-a-double-mutualistic-interaction-between-a-lizard-and-a-mediterranean-gymnosperm/
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