Apex predators can structure ecosystems through trophic cascades: linking the frugivorous behaviour and seed-dispersal patterns of mesocarnivores

Current global change scenarios demand knowledge on how anthropogenic impacts affect ecosystem functioning through changes in food web structure. Frugivorous mesocarnivores are a key link in trophic cascades because, while their abundance and behaviour are usually controlled by apex predators, they can provide high-quality seed-dispersal services to plant communities. Thus, the recent rewilding of large carnivores worldwide can trigger cascading effects for plants. We investigated the top-down effects of an apex predator (Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus) on seed-dispersal services mediated by two mesocarnivore species (red fox Vulpes vulpes and stone marten Martes foina) at the plant community level by comparing areas with and without lynx in a Mediterranean mountain range in Southern Spain. We collected scats of mesocarnivores (n = 1575) to assess frugivory and seed dispersal of 15 plant species over two consecutive fruiting seasons and two habitat types (open and forest). Specifically, we ..., Collection/generation of data: 
We used an experimental design comparing five localities with a year-round territorial presence of reproductive Iberian lynx individuals and five localities without lynxes with similar habitat characteristics. Thus, we were able to compare the seed-dispersal patterns of mesocarnivores among predation-risk and predation-free scenarios. Since mesocarnivores can alter their habitat-use patterns under predation risk, we selected two different types of habitats in each locality: a) mature forest with a dense shrub stratum and b) open vegetation with scarce shrubs and isolated trees. Along 1.5 km transects previously selected in each habitat type, we conducted mesocarnivore scat sampling from October to March 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. Sampling was conducted at 1.5-month intervals, allowing each transect to be replicated four times per fruiting season, for a total of 160 visits (four replicates per transect × two habitats × 10 sites × two seasons). Two mammalian ..., , # Apex predators can structure ecosystems through trophic cascades: linking the frugivorous behaviour and seed-dispersal patterns of mesocarnivores

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.b2rbnzsph](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.b2rbnzsph)

Data were collected in ten localities (3x3 km) and two fruiting seasons (October-March 2018-2019 and 2019-2020) in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park; 38°14'27.71\"N, 4° 4'45.03\"W, Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. We used an experimental design comparing five localities with a year-round territorial presence of reproductive Iberian lynx individuals and five localities without lynxes. The dataset allowed us to compare the seed-dispersal patterns (number of scats with seeds, seed occurrence, and fleshy-fruit biomass per scat) and the diversity of dispersed seeds by mesocarnivores among predation-risk and predation-free scenarios.

## Description of the data and file structure

File List:

* fruits_model.csv: fleshy-fruit biomass per scat and occurrence of seeds per scat.
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