Wild boars as seed dispersal agents of exotic plants from agricultural lands to conservation areas

Some large omnivorous mammals serve as effective dispersal vectors of plant seeds that are adapted for dispersal through endozoochory or epizoochory. Seed dispersal by native wild boars (Sus scrofa lybicus) was investigated at Ramat-Hanadiv Park in central Israel by controlled germination, in a greenhouse, of dung, pellets, and brushed hair samples. Many seedlings emerged from the dung and hair samples but pellets did not contain any viable seeds. Forty-one percent of the species and 91% of the seedlings dispersed by endozoochory were exotic species. Eighteen percent of the species and 59% of the seedlings, dispersed by epizoochory were exotic species. Some of these species are ruderal plants which grow along roads and disturbed sites in the park, but only one has established in the park core. The large numbers of exotic seeds illustrate the potential impact of the omnivorous wild boar as effective vector dispersing exotic plant species from agricultural and urban areas into protected natural ecosystems. However, the establishment was only minor yet probably due to summer drought and high resistance of the Mediterranean maquis to invading plants.

► Endozoochory and epizoochory by Wild boars in a dry Mediterranean ecosystem. ► Wild boars are effective seed dispersers of local and exotic species. ► Most of plants species dispersed produce many small round seeds with hard seed coats. ► Exotic species establishment was minor due to summer drought and high resistance of Mediterranean maquis. ► Large native omnivores dispersing invasive plant species into conservation areas.