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Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Dispersal by European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Ryan J. Edwards ,
Larry C. Clark  and
K. George Beck
Ryan J. Edwards
Affiliation:
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Larry C. Clark
Affiliation:
USDA-APHIS-National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, NWRC, 4101 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 8052
K. George Beck*
Affiliation:
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: George.Beck@colostate.edu
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Abstract

Studies were conducted to document that European starlings consume Russian olive fruits and determine subsequent effects on seed germination. In the first study, avian feeding patterns at Russian olive trees were monitored over a 1-yr period using motion activated digital photography. Starlings fed on Russian olive fruits with highest activity occurring in November and December. In a second study, 20 captive European starlings were fed Russian olive fruits and seed germination rates were determined for three categories: consumed by starlings, hulled fruits (pericarp removed), and whole fruits. Starlings readily consumed Russian olive fruits and most seeds were regurgitated 30 min after consumption. Germination rates of ingested/regurgitated seeds (57%) and pericarp-removed seeds (40%) were greater than whole fruits (0%). Viability tests confirmed that 85% of starling ingested seeds remained viable after consumption. Our data suggest that Russian olive dispersal may be dependent upon animals for effective spread.

Keywords

Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia L.European starlings, Sturnus vulgarisAnimal dispersaldigestionfeeding studyincreased germinabilityinvasive species interactions
Type
Research Article
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 425 - 431
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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Footnotes

Current address: Interim Research Associate, Mississippi State University, Department of Plant and Soil Science, 32 Creelman St, 117 Dorman Hall, Mississippi State, MS 39762

References

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