Frugivore choice and escape from pre-dispersal seed predators: the case of Dialium guianense and two sympatric primate species in southern Mexico

Benítez‐Malvido, Julieta; Zermeño‐Hernández, Isela; González-DiPierro, Ana María; Lombera, Rafael; Estrada, Alejandro

doi:10.1007/s11258-016-0617-6

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…We see that most of the animals under study maintained the viability of the seeds dispersed in both types of forest, improving dispersal success by selecting high quality seeds and fruits (Benítez-Malvido et al, 2016). It is possible that mammals have some mechanisms for selecting fruits to ingest those that are in good condition and avoid those with some damage, because in our results, there were percentages of viability higher than those of the canopy for most of the animals in both forests.…”

Section: Viabilitymentioning

confidence: 52%

Forest seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate forests and dry tropical forests

Rubalcava-Castillo¹,

Ramírez²,

Luna-Ruíz³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The mechanisms of forest seed dispersal and regeneration of various altered forest ecosystems are complemented by the action of carnivores. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of endozoochoric and diploendozoochoric mammals in the dispersal, scarification, and germination of seeds in two different forest ecosystems: temperate forest (TF) and dry tropical forest (DTF). A direct search and scat collection were carried out to determine dispersing agents and the abundance and richness of seeds in the Protected Natural Area, Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico. Viability was evaluated by means of X-rays and a germination test using an optical densitometry. In addition, thickness measurements and observations were made on the surfaces of the testas by a scanning electron microscopy. In the TF, four plant species were dispersed, mainly Arctostaphylos pungens (P < 0.05), by four mammals, where the gray fox dispersed the highest average (66.8 ± 68.2; P < 0.05) and diploendozoochory was detected in bobcat scats associated with rabbit hair (Sylvilagus floridanus). The DTF presented higher abundance and richness of species, where Myrtillocactus geometrizans had the highest abundance (2680 ± 4423) and the coati (P < 0.05) dispersed the highest number of seeds (8639 ± 12203). In both types of forest, endozoochory and diploendozoochory did not affect the viability, the thickness of the testas, or the germination of any species of seeds. These results suggest that dispersing carnivores adapt to the abundance and richness of seeds in the forests they inhabit, thus developing an important ecological function by dispersing, scarifying and promoting the selective germination of seeds with thick testas in TF and thin testas in DTF.

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Section: Viabilitymentioning

confidence: 52%

Forest seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate forests and dry tropical forests

Rubalcava-Castillo¹,

Ramírez²,

Luna-Ruíz³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…It is also present in Guatemala and Belize, but 80% of its distribution is in Mexico (Rylands et al, 2006), and its population density in the MCR is 0.13 individuals/ha (Estrada et al, 2004). The black howler monkey can live in small forest patches (<10 ha) (Estrada et al, 2002; Van Belle and Estrada, 2006; Boyle, 2008; Benítez‐Malvido et al, 2014, 2016a–c). Howler monkeys are considered as folivore‐frugivores.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We predicted that ingested seeds would have greater germination success than non‐ingested, seeds that were collected from the ground under the parent plant. Differences in seed traits among plant species may contribute to germination heterogeneity with important consequences for forest regeneration in continuous forests and forest fragments (Benítez‐Malvido et al, 2014, 2016c).…”

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confidence: 99%

Germination success of large‐seeded plant species ingested by howler monkeys in tropical rain forest fragments

Pierro

Benítez‐Malvido

Lombera³

2021

American J of Botany

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Premise Primates are important seed dispersers, especially for large‐seeded (>1 cm long) tropical species in continuous and fragmented rainforests. Methods In three forest fragments within the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, southern Mexico, we investigated the effect of seed passage through the gut of howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) on the germination rate and maximum germination (%) of native, large‐seeded species. One group of howler monkeys, per fragment, was followed and fresh feces collected. Large seeds were removed to compare their germination success with non‐ingested seeds of the same species collected underneath parent plants. Results Feces contained large seeds from seven tree species (Ampelocera hottlei, Castilla elastica, Dialium guianense, Garcinia intermedia, Pourouma bicolor, Spondias mombin, Trophis racemosa) and one liana species (Abuta panamensis). Except for G. intermedia, ingested seeds germinated significantly faster than non‐ingested seeds, which had negligible germination. Ingested seeds of D. guianense, P. bicolor, S. mombin, T. racemosa, and A. panamensis had significantly greater germination, while G. intermedia had significantly lower germination and seed ingestion had no apparent effect for A. hottlei and C. elastica. Conclusions In general, seed ingestion by howler monkeys confers faster germination compared with non‐ingested seeds. Faster germination reduces predation probabilities and increases seedling establishment in forest fragments. Primate dispersal services contribute to germination heterogeneity within plant populations of old‐growth forest species and to their persistence in forest fragments.

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“…Also, the lack of information related to species composition of secondary forest trees and seed rain within forest patches limit our understanding about the contribution of secondary forests to seedlings α-diversity [60,120]. Finally, our study did not consider a longterm monitoring of tree seedlings to elucidate the contribution of patch microclimate, fruiting events, foraging behavior of seed dispersers, disturbance regimes, and density-dependent mortality factors, which strongly influence the composition and dynamics of seedling communities in the tropics [16,121,122].…”

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape structure shapes the diversity of tree seedlings at multiple spatial scales in a fragmented tropical rainforest

et al. 2021

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The maintenance of seedling diversity of animal-dispersed tree species is fundamental for the structure and function of forest patches in fragmented tropical rainforests. Nonetheless, the effects of landscape structure at different spatial scales on α- and β-diversity of tree seedling communities are recently explored. Using a multi-scale approach, we assessed the relative effect of landscape composition and configuration on α- and β-diversity of animal-dispersed seedlings within 16 forest patches in the Lacandona rainforest, Mexico. We assessed these effects at 13 spatial scales (from 300 to 1500 m radius, at 100 m intervals) for three metrics of effective number of species considering α- and β-diversity. We found that α-diversity was largely affected by landscape composition and β-diversity by landscape configuration. On the one hand, the amount of secondary forest influenced α-diversity. Additionally, species richness increased in landscapes with highly aggregated forest patches. On the other hand, β-diversity was affected positively by forest fragmentation and negatively by the edge contrast of forest patches with the surrounding matrix. Our findings indicate that landscape configuration is a strong driver of seedling diversity in highly deforested rainforests. Promoting forest patches and secondary forests through payment for ecosystem services’ programs, favoring matrix quality within land-sharing schemes of smallholder agriculture and secondary forest management, and identifying restoration opportunities for assisted or unassisted natural regeneration are urgently needed for conservation of seedling diversity in human-modified tropical landscapes.

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Frugivore choice and escape from pre-dispersal seed predators: the case of Dialium guianense and two sympatric primate species in southern Mexico

Cited by 10 publications

References 49 publications

Forest seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate forests and dry tropical forests

Forest seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate forests and dry tropical forests

Germination success of large‐seeded plant species ingested by howler monkeys in tropical rain forest fragments

Landscape structure shapes the diversity of tree seedlings at multiple spatial scales in a fragmented tropical rainforest

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