The avian guild that consumes Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae) fruits and its phenophases were studied in a fragment of cerrado vegetation located in southeastern Brazil. The fruiting period ocurred between October and January, coinciding with the wet season. Nineteen bird species, mainly of generalistic diets, were registered consuming fruits in 96 observational hours. Species of the families Emberizidae, Thraupidae and Tyrannidae showed the largest number of visits, while those of the families Mimidae and Columbidae, with higher body mass, were responsible for a considerable number of consumed fruits. A correlation was found between body mass and average fruit consumption per visit. Tree height was a relevant factor for bird attraction. Results suggest that M. albicans may be useful in the recovery of degraded areas.Keywords: frugivory, ornitochory, phenology, Miconia, cerrado. Frugivoria por aves em Miconia albicans (MELASTOMATACEAE), em um fragmento de cerrado em São Carlos, sudeste do Brasil ResumoFoi estudada a guilda de aves que consomem frutos de Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae), bem como a fenologia dessa planta, em fragmento de cerrado no sudeste do Brasil. O período de frutificação ocorreu entre outubro e janeiro, coincidindo com a estação chuvosa. Dezenove espécies de aves, a maioria com dieta generalista, foram registradas consumindo frutos em 96 horas de observações. Espécies das famílias Emberizidae, Thraupidae e Tyrannidae apresentaram o maior número de visitas, enquanto aquelas das famílias Mimidae e Columbidae, de maior massa corporal, sobressaíram-se pelo número de frutos consumidos. Foi encontrada correlação entre massa corporal e consumo médio de frutos por visita. A altura das árvores foi um fator relevante na atração de aves. Os resultados sugerem que M. albicans pode ser útil na recuperação de áreas degradadas.
We identified the avian assembly that consumes Miconia ligustroides (Melastomataceae) fruit and described its phenophases in a fragment of cerrado vegetation located in southeastern Brazil. The fruiting period occurred between March and June, a period of food shortage. In 2005 and 2008, we registered eighteen bird species consuming fruits, during 156 hours of observations. Species of the families Thraupidae and Tyrannidae were the most representative in the number of visits and fruit consumption. Short visits (less than three minutes) and low incidence of defecation apparently indicate that seeds may be released far from the parent-plant, suggesting dispersal efficiency by the studied assembly. Owing to its characteristics, we believe Miconia ligustroides may be useful in the restoration of degraded areas.Keywords: cerrado, frugivory, Miconia, ornitochory, phenology. Fenologia e frugivoria por aves em
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