Seed Floras in Seabird Nests and the Possibility of Adhesion to Seabird Feathers via Their Nests

Seabirds are thought to be involved in long‐distance dispersal of plant seeds. However, the seed adhesion process in seabirds remains unclear. Nests are likely an important link between seabirds and plant seeds, because seabirds use plant tissues as nest materials. We analyzed 90 seabird nests collected from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, and identified seeds with the potential to adhere to the seabirds. 24 seed species were found in the seabird nests, at least 16 of which could potentially adhere to seabirds. This is the first study to reveal the seed floras of pelagic seabird nests. Nests likely provide opportunities for various seeds to adhere to seabirds and may mediate adhesive seed dispersal by seabirds.