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

Abstract

The goal of this study was to identify which bird species consume Solanum granuloso-leprosum fruits and disperse its seeds. 60 hours of focal observations were carried out between April and May 2006 on the edge of a deciduous forest fragment in the Uruguay River region, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Ten species were observed in total removing 443 fruits. Saltator similis removed 61.8% of the fruits, followed by Tangara sayaca (17.1%), Pipraeidea bonariensis (11.7%), and T. preciosa (6.8%), while the remaining six species accounted for only 2.5% of the fruits removed. Most fruit removal occurred early in the day or mid-afternoon. The most common feeding behaviors were picking (60.7%), followed by stalling (23%) and hovering (16%). Birds flew more than 10 m from the fruit plant in 62% of the removal events. All bird species observed here may be considered potential dispersers of S. granuloso-leprosum, as they moved the seeds away from the mother plant where strong competition and predation are likely to occur. Results also suggest that S. granuloso-leprosum may be useful in ecological restoration programs.Keywords: mother plant, ornitochory, pioneer plant, secondary fragment forest. Frugivoria e dispersão de sementes em Solanum granuloso-leprosumDunal (Solanaceae) por aves em Floresta Estacional Decidual ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi identificar quais as espécies de aves consomem frutos de Solanum granuloso-leposum e dispersam suas sementes. Para tanto, 60 horas de observações focais foram realizadas entre abril e maio de 2006 na borda de um fragmento de floresta decídua na região do rio Uruguai, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Dez espécies foram observadas removendo 443 frutos. Saltator similis removeu 61,8% dos frutos, seguido de Tangara sayaca (17,1%), Pipraeidea bonariensis (11,7%), e T. preciosa (6,8%), enquanto as restantes seis espécies representaram apenas 2,5% dos frutos removidos. A maioria das remoções dos frutos ocorreram no início do dia ou meio da tarde. Os comportamentos alimentares mais comuns foram picking (60,7%), seguido por stalling (23%) e hovering (16%). As aves voaram mais de 10 m da planta de onde removeram frutos em 62% dos eventos de remoção. Todas as espécies de aves observadas aqui podem ser consideradas potenciais dispersores de S. granuloso-leprosum, moveram sementes para longe da planta-mãe, onde a concorrência e a predação são mais susceptíveis de ocorrer. Os resultados também sugerem que S. granuloso-leprosum pode ser útil em programas de restauração ecológica.Palavras-chave: planta mãe, ornitocoria, planta pioneira, fragmento de floresta secundária.

Utilização de poleiros artificiais por aves em áreas de restauração ecológica dos biomas Cerrado e Mata Atlântica no Brasil

“…From those within the family that have the ability to disperse seed, T. sayaca was found to have an occurrence frequency of 26.7% in the sample sites. This species is thought to be one of the most effective seed dispersers in degraded areas because it frequently consumes fruit and is commonly observed along forest edges and in open areas (Jacomassa, 2016). Other species in the family Thraupidae are more likely to occur in intact forests and, therefore, are rarely seen on artificial perches.…”