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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386358
Research Project: Biological Control and Habitat Restoration for Invasive Weed Management

Location: Pest Management Research

Title: Coyote and porcupine spread Russian olive seeds through endozoochory

Author
item Campbell, Joshua
item West, Natalie

Submitted to: Journal of Wildlife Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2022
Publication Date: 5/11/2022
Citation: Campbell, J.W., West, N.M. 2022. Coyote and porcupine spread Russian olive seeds through endozoochory. Journal of Wildlife Management. 86(6). Article e22242. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22242.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22242

Interpretive Summary: Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is an invasive tree that has spread throughout much of the western United States. Seeds may be moved by water or birds, but whether mammals might disperse viable seeds has not been investigated. We located Russian olive windbreaks in western North Dakota in which coyote (Canis latrans Say) and porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum L.) had been feeding on the seeds. We collected numerous coyote and porcupine scats containing intact Russian olive seeds and tested whether the seeds were viable and would germinate. Overall, Russian olive seeds that passed through coyote and porcupine intestinal tracts were viable and germinated at a similar (porcupine) or greater (coyote) rate than control seeds (seeds not passed through mammal digestive tracts). Thus, our data supports the idea that mammals may be an agent of regional Russian olive seed movement.

Technical Abstract: Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is an invasive tree that has spread throughout much of the western United States. The mode of seed dispersal has been shown to occur by hyrochory and possibly by birds. Seed dispersal by frugivorous mammals has not been investigated. We located Russian olive windbreaks in western North Dakota in which coyote (Canis latrans Say) and porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum L.) had been feeding on the seeds. Numerous coyote and porcupine scats were obtained that contained intact Russian olive seeds. We hypothesized that seeds consumed by coyote and porcupine would be viable and germinate. Overall, Russian olive seeds that passed through coyote and porcupine intestinal tracts were viable and germinated at a similar rate as control seeds (seeds not passed through coyote/porcupine digestive tracts). Thus, our data supports the idea that mammals may be an agent of regional Russian olive seed dispersal.