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Dispersal in a Neotropical tree, Virola flexuosa (Myristicaceae): Does hunting of large vertebrates limit seed removal?

Dispersal in a Neotropical tree, Virola flexuosa (Myristicaceae): Does hunting of large... To understand how different frugivores impact dispersal, we studied the assemblage that feed on Virola flexuosa over a two-year period at two sites differing in hunting pressure in Ecuador. We focus on disperser effectiveness and test the hypothesis that seed removal, influenced by differential visits of large-bodied frugivores, will differ between hunted and non-hunted sites. All visiting frugivores were identified, and fruit handling behavior and seed removal rates quantified. Seed traps were placed under fruiting trees to estimate crop size and fruit removal. Seventeen bird and three primate species were recorded foraging in V. flexuosa trees. Toucans and primates were the most important dispersers comprising nearly 85%% of visits with six toucan species recorded in 74%% of visits. A proportionately larger number of seeds were removed from fruiting trees at a non-hunted site (89.4%%) than a hunted site (66.8%%). In addition, there were significantly more frugivore visits at the non-hunted than the hunted site. The differences in the frugivore assemblage and the number of seeds dispersed from individual trees between two structurally similar forest sites suggest dispersal limitation resulting from a decline in frugivores. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ecology Ecological Society of America

Dispersal in a Neotropical tree, Virola flexuosa (Myristicaceae): Does hunting of large vertebrates limit seed removal?

Holbrook, K. M.; Loiselle, B. A.
Ecology , Volume 90 (6) – Jun 1, 2009
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References (25)

Publisher
Ecological Society of America
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 by the Ecological Society of America
Subject
Reports
ISSN
0012-9658
DOI
10.1890/08-1332.1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

To understand how different frugivores impact dispersal, we studied the assemblage that feed on Virola flexuosa over a two-year period at two sites differing in hunting pressure in Ecuador. We focus on disperser effectiveness and test the hypothesis that seed removal, influenced by differential visits of large-bodied frugivores, will differ between hunted and non-hunted sites. All visiting frugivores were identified, and fruit handling behavior and seed removal rates quantified. Seed traps were placed under fruiting trees to estimate crop size and fruit removal. Seventeen bird and three primate species were recorded foraging in V. flexuosa trees. Toucans and primates were the most important dispersers comprising nearly 85%% of visits with six toucan species recorded in 74%% of visits. A proportionately larger number of seeds were removed from fruiting trees at a non-hunted site (89.4%%) than a hunted site (66.8%%). In addition, there were significantly more frugivore visits at the non-hunted than the hunted site. The differences in the frugivore assemblage and the number of seeds dispersed from individual trees between two structurally similar forest sites suggest dispersal limitation resulting from a decline in frugivores.

Journal

Ecology – Ecological Society of America

Published: Jun 1, 2009

Keywords: dispersal limitation ; Ecuador ; frugivory ; fruit removal ; primates ; seed dispersal ; toucans ; tropical forest ; Virola flexuosa

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