Effects of fragmentation on species interactions

A new article analyzing the effects of fragmentation on multi-species interactions is now available. The article is the fruit of a long-standing collaboration with Ainhoa Magrach and Javier Rodríguez-Pérez.

Magrach, A., Rodríguez-Pérez, J., Piazzon, M., Santamaria, L. 2015. Divergent effects of forest edges on host distribution and seed disperser activity influence mistletoe distribution and recruitment. Journal of Ecology 103: 1475–1486.

This is the graphical abstract, available at the journal's website:

We determined the effect of anthropogenic edges on the interactions between three forest-dwelling species: a mistletoe, its host plant and its seed disperser. Forest edges had discordant impacts on the host and the disperser, resulting in increased host availability but reduced seed dispersal. The interdependence of species linked by antagonistic and mutualistic interactions makes them more sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance.

Special issue on Exploitation Barriers

Evolutionary Ecology just published a Special Issue on Pollination Exploitation Barriers, edited by Miguel A. Rodríguez-Gironés (EEZA-CSIC) and Luis Santamaría (SEG, EBD-CSIC). 

We are very excited about the issue, which allowed us to summarize our recent work on exploitaiton barriers and frame it in the context of the reseach developed by other groups across the world.

Have a look at the contents below, with links embedded in case you want to sample some of the papers:

Are flowers red in teeth and claw? Exploitation barriers and the antagonist nature of mutualisms
L. Santamaría, M. A. Rodríguez-Gironés Pages 311-322

Passive partner choice through exploitation barriers
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Gironés, Shan Sun, Luis Santamaría Pages 323-340

Bee- to bird-pollination shifts in Penstemon: effects of floral-lip removal and corolla constriction on the preferences of free-foraging bumble bees
Jessica L. Zung, Jessica R. K. Forrest, Maria Clara Castellanos… Pages 341-354

Convergence of anti-bee pollination mechanisms in the Neotropical plant genus Drymonia (Gesneriaceae)
John L. Clark, Laura Clavijo, Nathan Muchhala Pages 355-377

Diversity and evolution of pollinator rewards and protection by Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) bracteoles
Eri Yamasaki, Atsushi Kawakita, Shoko Sakai Pages 379-390

The function of ant repellence by flowers: testing the “nectar protection” and “pollinator protection” hypotheses
Francisco G. Gonzálvez, J. Chen, Miguel A. Rodríguez-Gironés Pages 391-403

Nectar palatability can selectively filter bird and insect visitors to coral tree flowers
Susan W. Nicolson, Sara Lerch-Henning, Megan Welsford… Pages 405-417

Long corollas as nectar barriers in Lonicera implexa: interactions between corolla tube length and nectar volume
Amparo Lázaro, Clara Vignolo, Luis Santamaría Pages 419-435

Functional and phylogenetic diversity of plant communities differently affect the structure of flower-visitor interactions and reveal convergences in floral traits
Robert R. Junker, Nico Blüthgen, Alexander Keller Pages 437-450

Are pollinators and seed predators selective agents on flower color in Gentiana lutea?
Tania Veiga, Javier Guitián, Pablo Guitián, José Guitián… Pages 451-464

Invasive species management in the Seychelles

Lucía Latorre, former postgraduate researcher at the Sptial Ecology Group, works currently as coordinator of an invasive species control project at Praslin Island, Seychelles.

Today's article at the newspaper La Región de Ourense (in Spanish) gives us a hint of her work and plans for the near future:

Lucía Latorre, la ourensana que protege el paraíso de las Seychelles