Seed dispersal of Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner (Solanaceae) in the Linhares Forest, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Abstract

RESUMO -(Dispersão de sementes de Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner (Solanaceae) na Floresta de Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brasil). O propósito deste estudo foi analisar a dispersão de sementes e o estabelecimento de Solanum thomasiifolium em uma área de vegetação de "nativo" no Estado do Espírito Santo, na costa do sudeste do Brasil. Dez espécies de aves, o cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) e uma espécie de lagarto (Tropidurus torquatus) alimentaram-se de frutos de S. thomasiifolium e dispersaram sementes viáveis em suas fezes. A contribuição proporcional de cada um destes grupos na dispersão de sementes foi de 77% para aves, 19% para o cachorro-do-mato e 4% para o lagarto. Formigas também contribuíram com a dispersão de sementes. Mais sementes foram depositadas nas ilhas de vegetação do que nas áreas abertas vizinhas. As taxas de germinação de sementes oriundas de frutos (controle), fezes de aves, fezes do cachorro do mato e do lagarto foram, respectivamente, 64 %, 64 %, 53% e 80%. As diferenças entre estas taxas foram todas signifi cativas, exceto entre o controle e fezes de aves. Lagartos foram importantes como transportadores de sementes entre ilhas de vegetação próximas e defecaram uma grande proporção de sementes viáveis. As aves e o cachorro-do-mato não aumentaram a germinação de sementes, mas promoveram a dispersão sobre uma área maior. A arquitetura da planta, a produtividade de frutos, as características do fruto e a diversidade de frugívoros são importante no sucesso de S. thomasiifolium para colonização do habitat. Palavras-chave: aves, cachorro-do-mato, deposição de sementes, frugivoria, germinação, lagarto ABSTRACT -(Seed dispersal of Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner (Solanaceae) in the Linhares Forest, Espírito Santo state, Brazil). The aim of this study was to analyse seed dispersal and establishment of Solanum thomasiifolium in an area of "nativo" vegetation in Espirito Santo state on the southeastern Brazilian coast. Ten species of birds, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and one species of lizard (Tropidurus torquatus) fed on S. thomasiifolium fruits and dispersed viable seeds in their faeces. The proportional contribution of each of these groups to seed dispersal was 77% (birds), 19% (crab-eating fox) and 4% (lizards). Ants also contributed to seed dispersal. More seeds were deposited in vegetation islands than in the surrounding open areas. Germination rates of seeds collected directly from fruit (control), bird droppings, the faeces of crab-eating foxes and lizards were, respectively, 64, 64, 53, and 80 %. Differences among these rates were all signifi cant, except between birds and control. Lizards were important as seed carriers between nearby islands and they expelled a higher proportion of viable seeds. Birds and the crab-eating foxes did not enhance seed germination, but promoted seed dispersal over a wider area. Plant architecture, fruit productivity, fruit characteristics and the diversity of frugivores are important for the success of S. thomasiifolium in habitat colonization.

Peer Review #2 of "Myiarchus flycatchers are the primary seed dispersers of Bursera longipes in a Mexican dry forest (v0.1)"

“…At the mature and intermediate stages, density of recruited seedlings increased due to seed rain from dispersers, as found in other Neotropical forests (Vasconcellos-Neto, Barbosa & Rodrigues, 2009). The seed bank of the soil is also a likely influence and may have a lower density in earlier successional stages, as found at other TDF sites (Uhl, 1987;Hammond, 1995).…”

“…Yet in arid environments, few microhabitats with suitable conditions exist, and certain microhabitats may in fact adversely affect seedling establishment (Calviño-Cancela & Martín-Herrero, 2009). Thus, the role of dispersers in depositing seeds in sites with appropriate conditions for germination in these environments is particularly important because there are few adequate microhabitats in which seeds can be established (Vasconcellos-Neto, Barbosa & Rodrigues, 2009).…”

“…birds deposit faeces under their perch trees(Vasconcellos-Neto, Barbosa & Rodrigues, 2009), but only the canopy of certain shrubs and trees provides suitable conditions for recruitment of seeds in arid environments(Godínez-Alvarez, Valiente-Banuet & Rojas-Martínez, 2002). The deposition of seeds under the cover of trees or shrubs (potential nurse plants) was estimated by focal observations to record the number of visits to these perching sites by birds after fruit consumption.…”

Frugivory and seed dispersal of Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dunal (Solanaceae) by birds in deciduous seasonal forest

“…This process represents the connection between the last plant reproductive stage and the first stage of population recruitment. Studies of plant-frugivore interactions are needed in order to better understand the dynamics of colonization by pioneer plants and other species; of particular importance are studies evaluating frugivore behavior and location of seed deposit (Janzen, 1970;Connell, 1971;Herrera et al, 1994;Vasconcellos-Neto et al, 2009).…”

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolics Analysis by HPLC-DAD of Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner (Solanaceae)

“…[15] Chemotaxonomic studies have recognised the genus Solanum as a source of phenolic compounds, which present a wide variety of biological actions, including antioxidant activity. [15] A seed dispersal study of S. thomasiifolium has been reported; [16] however, no study on S. thomasiifolium chemical composition and biological activity has been published. The aim of this work is to evaluate the antioxidant properties and total phenolic content of different extracts from Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner and to characterise the flavonoids present in the active extracts by using HPLC-DAD.…”