Seed dispersal is an important ecological process that structures plant communities and influences ecosystem functioning. Loss of animal dispersers therefore poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems, particularly in the tropics where zoochory predominates. A prominent example is the near-total extinction of seed dispersers on the tropical island of Guam following the accidental introduction of the invasive brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), negatively impacting seedling recruitment and forest regeneration. We investigated frugivory by a remnant population of Såli (Micronesian starling –Aplonis opaca) on Guam and two other island populations (Rota, Saipan) to evaluate their ecological role as a seed disperser in the Mariana archipelago. Using a combination of behavioural observations, nest contents and fecal samples, we documented frugivory of 37 plant species. Native plants comprised the majority (66%) of all species and 90% of all seeds identified in fecal and nest contents. Diet was highly similar across age classes and sampling years. In addition, plant species consumed by Såli comprised 88% of bird-dispersed adult trees and 54% of all adult trees in long-term forest monitoring plots, demonstrating the Såli’s broad diet and potential for restoring native forests. Overall, we provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of frugivory by the Såli and confirm its importance as a seed disperser on Guam and throughout the Marianas.

中文翻译：

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Såli（密克罗尼西亚椋鸟-Aplonis opaca）作为热带群岛的主要种子传播剂

种子传播是构建植物群落并影响生态系统功能的重要生态过程。因此，动物传播者的丧失对森林生态系统构成严重威胁，特别是在动物群占主导地位的热带地区。一个突出的例子是热带岛屿关岛的种子传播者在意外引入入侵性棕树蛇后几乎完全灭绝（不规则波加)，对幼苗补充和森林更新产生负面影响。我们调查了 Såli（密克罗尼西亚椋鸟——无花果) 对关岛和其他两个岛屿种群（罗塔、塞班岛）进行评估，以评估它们在马里亚纳群岛作为种子传播者的生态作用。结合行为观察、巢内容物和粪便样本，我们记录了 37 种植物的食果性。原生植物占所有物种的大部分 (66%)，占粪便和巢穴内容物中鉴定的所有种子的 90%。不同年龄段和采样年份的饮食非常相似。此外，在长期森林监测地块中，Såli 消耗的植物种类占鸟类散布成树的 88% 和所有成年树的 54%，这表明 Såli 广泛的饮食和恢复原生森林的潜力。总体而言，我们提供了迄今为止 Såli 对食果的最全面评估，并确认其作为关岛和整个马里亚纳群岛的种子传播者的重要性。