Bird-mediated dispersal is presumed to be important in the dissemination of many different types of organisms, but concrete evidence remains scarce. This is especially true for biota producing microscopic propagules. Tree-dwelling birds, such as woodpeckers, would seem to represent ideal dispersal vectors for organisms growing on standing tree trunks such as epiphytic lichens and fungi. Here, we utilize bird natural history collections as a novel source of data for studying dispersal ecology of plants, fungi, and microorganisms. We screened freshly preserved specimens of three Finnish woodpecker species for microscopic propagules. Samples were taken from bird feet, and chest and tail feathers. Propagules were extracted using a sonication–centrifugation protocol, and the material obtained was studied using light microscopy. Diverse biological material was recovered from all specimens of all bird species, from all positions sampled. Most abundant categories of discovered biological material included bryophyte fragments, fungal spores, and vegetative propagules of lichens. Also, freshwater diatoms, bryophyte spores, algal cells, testate amebae, rotifers, nematodes, pollen, and insect scales were identified. The method developed here is applicable to living specimens as well, making it a versatile tool for further research. Our findings highlight the potential of bird-mediated dispersal for diverse organisms and showcase the use of natural history collections in ecological research.

中文翻译：

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啄木鸟可以作为真菌、植物和微生物的传播载体

据推测，鸟类介导的传播在许多不同类型生物的传播中很重要，但具体证据仍然很少。对于产生微观繁殖体的生物群尤其如此。栖息在树上的鸟类，如啄木鸟，似乎是生长在立树干上的生物（如附生地衣和真菌）的理想传播媒介。在这里，我们利用鸟类自然历史收藏作为研究植物、真菌和微生物扩散生态学的新数据来源。我们筛选了三种芬兰啄木鸟物种的新鲜保存标本以进行微观繁殖。样本取自鸟脚、胸部和尾羽。使用超声离心方案提取繁殖体，并使用光学显微镜研究获得的材料。从所有鸟类的所有样本中，从所有采样位置回收了不同的生物材料。最丰富的已发现生物材料类别包括苔藓植物碎片、真菌孢子和地衣的营养繁殖体。此外，还鉴定了淡水硅藻、苔藓植物孢子、藻类细胞、有遗嘱阿米巴、轮虫、线虫、花粉和昆虫鳞片。这里开发的方法也适用于活体标本，使其成为进一步研究的通用工具。我们的研究结果强调了鸟类介导的传播对多种生物的潜力，并展示了自然历史收藏在生态研究中的应用。和地衣的营养繁殖体。此外，还鉴定了淡水硅藻、苔藓植物孢子、藻类细胞、有遗嘱阿米巴、轮虫、线虫、花粉和昆虫鳞片。这里开发的方法也适用于活体标本，使其成为进一步研究的通用工具。我们的研究结果强调了鸟类介导的传播对多种生物的潜力，并展示了自然历史收藏在生态研究中的应用。和地衣的营养繁殖体。此外，还鉴定了淡水硅藻、苔藓植物孢子、藻类细胞、有遗嘱阿米巴、轮虫、线虫、花粉和昆虫鳞片。这里开发的方法也适用于活体标本，使其成为进一步研究的通用工具。我们的研究结果强调了鸟类介导的传播对多种生物的潜力，并展示了自然历史收藏在生态研究中的应用。