Is the European red fox a vector of the invasive basket asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus) in eastern Australia?

Julie M O'Connor; D M Burrows; B L Allen; Scott Burnett

doi:10.1071/AM19001

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Is the European red fox a vector of the invasive basket asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus) in eastern Australia?

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Is the European red fox a vector of the invasive basket asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus) in eastern Australia?

Julie M O'Connor, D M Burrows, B L Allen and Scott Burnett

Australian Mammalogy, Vol.42(2), pp.204-210

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19001

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Abstract

Asparagus aethiopicus

endozoochory

frugivory

hybrid ecosystem

invasive species

Vulpes vulpes

Basket asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus) has become a naturalised invasive plant in some coastal areas of Australia since its introduction in the late 19th century. Its spread through garden waste dumping and avian seed dispersal has been well documented and both are considered to be the primary means of dispersal. While a small number of avian vectors have been identified, no Australian studies have investigated the potential of mammals to disperse basket asparagus seeds. We collected basket asparagus seeds from fox (Vulpes vulpes) scats collected in the field, confirmed the viability of these seeds in germination trials, and further documented the germination of basket asparagus seeds from an undisturbed fox scat in situ. These results demonstrate that foxes consume and disperse basket asparagus seeds, and that these seeds are viable and germinate under field conditions. Foxes not only use basket asparagus stands as harbour, but can also facilitate the plant's dispersal in coastal ecosystems.

Details

Title: Is the European red fox a vector of the invasive basket asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus) in eastern Australia?
Authors: Julie M O'Connor (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
D M Burrows (Author) - Sunshine Coast Regional Council
B L Allen (Author) - University of Southern Queensland
Scott Burnett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Australian Mammalogy, Vol.42(2), pp.204-210
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1071/AM19001
ISSN: 0310-0049; 0310-0049
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451498502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Zoology

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