Differential fruit choice in two simpatric monkey species and frugivorous bats in southern Mexico

Abstract

In order to identify the role played by plant species as a food source in the fruit election of dispersing agents (Alouatta pigra Lawrence 1933, Ateles geoffroyi Kuhl 1820 and frugivorous bats), we developed a study in dry tropical forests in Yucatan, Mexico. We recorded the fruits consumed by frugivorous bats using collectors and, for monkeys, we implemented the focal animal method. The number of fruits consumed by primates (A. pigra and A. geoffroyi) and bats were recorded, 342 and 386, respectively. It was determined that bats deposited fruits with some percentage of pulp, while monkeys contributed more with a fruits without pulp (pairwise LSD contrast p < 0.05). Among the variety of fruit species in the diet of primates, we detected that A. pigra chose mostly not an abundant species such as Enterolobium cyclocarpum Jacq. Griseb. (1860) instead of those more abundant (Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (1953) and Brosimum alicastrum Sw. subsp. alicastrum C.C. Berg (1972)). The type of fruit and seed handling caused by primates would be more beneficial to seed germination than those applied by bats. Moreover, this election and fruit handling could depend on the characteristics of fruits and space-temporal availability of plant species as a food source.Keywords: Alouatta pigra, Ateles geoffroyi, seed handling, tree species, Yucatan. RESUMENCon el objetivo de examinar el papel que juegan las especies vegetales como fuentes alimenticias en la selección de frutos de agentes dispersores (Alouatta pigra, Ateles geoffroyi y murciélagos frugívoros), se realizó un estudio en selvas secas en el sureste de Yucatán, México. Se registraron los frutos consumidos por murciélagos usando colectores y, en el caso de los monos, se implementó el método de animal focal. El número de frutos consumidos registrados para ambas especies de primates y murciélagos fueron 342 y 386, respectivamente. Se determinó que los murciélagos depositaron frutos con pequeñas cantidades de pulpa, mientras que los monos contribuyeron mayormente con frutos totalmente despulpados (contrastes por pares LSD p < 0.05). Entre la variedad de especies de frutos en la dieta de los primates se detectó que A. pigra eligió frutos de las especies menos abundantes como Enterolobium cyclocarpum Jacq. Griseb. (1860) en vez de aquellas más abundantes (Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (1953) y Brosimum alicastrum Sw. subsp. alicastrum C.C. Berg (1972)). El tipo de manejo de frutos y semillas causado por los primates sería más beneficioso para la germinación de las semillas que los aplicados por los murciélagos. Además, esta elección y manejo del fruto podría depender de sus características y la disponibilidad espacio-temporal de las especies de plantas como fuente de alimento.Palabras clave: Alouatta pigra, Ateles geoffroyi, manipulación de la semilla, especies arbóreas, Yucatán.

Mechanistic models of seed dispersal by animals

“…In general, frugivores are not specialized on a single plant species but mix different fruits within their diets (Murphy 1994, Whelan et al 1998, Dzul‐Cauich et al 2018). The way in which animals decide to forage on different plant species has important consequences for community assembly and species persistence (Jordano 2000, Carlo and Morales 2016, Morán‐López et al 2018a, b2018b, Pizo et al 2021).…”

“…Spat seeds are generally dispersed closer or beneath the mother plant but deposited singly, while defecated seeds travel far and are deposited in clumps (Corlett and Lucas 1990, Lambert 1999). Another important taxon providing dispersal services are bats, which generally spit out seeds after moving away from feeding sites, though some seeds (especially small ones) are consumed (Izhaki et al 1995, Jordaan et al 2012, Dzul‐Cauich et al 2018). Differences between seed consumption and predation have also been found in frugivorous ungulates in the tropics (Bodmer 1991).…”