Cladocolea loniceroides infestation and its potential seed-dispersing birds in an urban green area of aguascalientes city, mexico

Abstract

True mistletoes belong to the order Santalales, which is made up of 13 families, among which is Loranthaceae. Many of these hemiparasitic plants depend on birds as seed dispersers and are considered a forest pest. In Mexico, they are the second agent of forest destruction. The objective of this work is to determine the shrub and tree species affected by Cladocolea loniceroides within the Rodolfo Landeros Gallegos Park, the largest public green area in the city of Aguascalientes, to assess the degree of infestation and to identify the main potential seed disperser birds of this mistletoe on site. In the study area there are 2343 infested individuals, belonging to 16 species from nine families. 56% of the total population of the host species present infestation. Five potential seed-dispersing bird species belonging to four families were identified. Due to the proportion of infested individuals, the phytosanitary status of the study area is considered serious. It is recommended to replace the species susceptible to infestation with native non-host species of C. loniceroides.