FSD 2010 - Dodo

5th International Symposium-Workshop on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal (1985-2010)

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

If you visit Mauritius, it would be difficult not to see it, though not in the rainforest which used to be its natural habitat. Indeed, it is extinct since 1681 when it was observed for the last time. It was paradoxically named Raphus cucullatus by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758, a long time after it has been discovered (1598) and decades after it disappeared (1690 in theory). With increasing deforestation and human threat on wildlife in the tropics, this is a common fact in our modern epoch : species are gone forever before they are 'named' when discovered by naturalists. Literature about Dodo's Natural History is rich, and full of uncertainties. Nonetheless, it is certain that it was a frugivores and a seed disperser of many plant species, among other, the tambalacoque, a large-seeded Sapotaceae tree (Sideroxylon grandiflorum). At the edge of extinction this tree is now lacking seedling recruitment not only because of Dodo disappearance, but also because of the invasion of the Mauritius forest by introduced vertebrates such as pigs and primates Macacus. For more information about this fantastic, mythic bird, you can visit Mauritius island or the web. We also recommend reading the book by Alan Grihaut "Dodo, The bird behind the legend".

Some more references

Wikipedia : Dodo

Wikipedia : Tambalacoque

The widespread misconception that the Tambalacoque or Calvaria tree absolutely required the Dodo bird for its seeds to germinate

Read the chapter : Current decline of the "Dodo tree": A case of broken-down interactions with extinct species or the result of new interactions with alien invaders? by Cláudia Baider and F. B. Vincent Florens in Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests Edited by William F. Laurance and Carlos A. Peres (2006).

Photo : Dr. F. B. Vincent Florens (University of Mauritius and Dr. Cláudia Baider (National herbarium). (c) P.-M. Forget, September 2008.

See more photos of Mauritius at Picasa

Websites

Seed dispersal in Mauritius

Victorian Web

Le Musée du Dodo

The Dodo Blog