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Ground-feeding migratory songbirds as cellular slime mold distribution vectors
1Department of Biology, Princeton University, 08544, Princeton, N.J., USA.
Abstract:
Cosmopolitan species of cellular slime molds occur continents apart in both tropical and temperate zones of the world though the spore masses are too heavy to be wind borne, and water dispersal is limited to the watercourses. A highly mobile distribution vector was found in ground-feeding migratory song birds. Nine ubiquitous species and 2 ecologicially distinct species of dictyostelid cellular slime molds were isolated from the feces of ground-feeding eastern North American migratory thrushes, finches, sparrows and warblers, both on breeding and winter grounds. Three propagules of slime molds, amoebae, spores and macrocysts survive passage through the avian digesive tract and remain in the gut long enough to be transported by major bird migrations. Habitats with the greates species diversity of both cellular slime molds and ground-feeding passerines concur in both eastern North America and Central America. Birds actively seek their prefered habitats; the cellular slime molds have arrived at these habitats as passengers. Rare slime molds can serve as a marker to the habitats that migratory birds have visited, or birds with known habitats can provide clues as to the distribution of rare species of cellular slime molds.
Insights
Migratory birds transport cellular slime molds across continents. These organisms, including amoebae, spores, and macrocysts, survive bird digestion, aiding global dispersal and indicating bird habitats.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Ornithology
Background:
- Cellular slime molds exhibit cosmopolitan distribution despite limited dispersal mechanisms.
- Wind and water dispersal are insufficient for long-distance transport of these organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of migratory birds as dispersal vectors for cellular slime molds.
- To identify cellular slime mold propagules surviving avian digestion and transport.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of dictyostelid cellular slime molds from the feces of migratory birds.
- Analysis of bird feces collected from breeding and wintering grounds.
- Identification of slime mold propagules (amoebae, spores, macrocysts) in avian digestive tracts.
Main Results:
- Nine ubiquitous and two ecologically distinct species of cellular slime molds were isolated from bird feces.
- Slime mold propagules (amoebae, spores, macrocysts) were found to survive avian digestion.
- Co-occurrence of diverse cellular slime mold and ground-feeding bird habitats was observed in North and Central America.
Conclusions:
- Migratory birds serve as effective, mobile dispersal vectors for cellular slime molds.
- Cellular slime molds utilize birds to reach new habitats, acting as passengers.
- Rare slime molds can act as indicators of bird visitation, and bird distribution can predict rare slime mold presence.
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