Seed dispersal and defecation patterns of Cebus capucinus and Alouatta palliata: consequences for seed dispersal effectiveness

Abstract

Primates are primary seed dispersers for many tropical tree species. Different species of primates vary considerably in ranging and feeding behaviour, seed processing, and in seed defecation patterns. Here we compare the role of two arboreal primate species, howlers (Alouatta palliata), and white-faced monkeys (Cebus capucinus) as seed dispersers in a tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. We found that Cebus produce smaller defecations, spend shorter times feeding per tree, have longer seed dispersal distances, and produce a more scattered pattern of seed deposition in the forest than Alouatta. In addition, Cebus moved more frequently between trees, and consumed fruits of more species than Alouatta. We examined the consequences of the contrasting defecation patterns produced by Cebus and Alouatta on the early seed fate of Acacia collinsii. We found that quantity, but not the identity (Cebus vs. Alouatta) of faecal material affected post-dispersal activity. Seeds in scattered faeces, sufficiently apart from each other (the common defecation pattern of white-faced monkeys), had higher short-term survival than seeds in clumped patterns of faeces (the pattern associated with Alouatta).

Some Aspects of Seed Dispersal Effectiveness of Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus Rosalia) in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…In disturbed forests the seeds defecated by A. palliata may have a clumped distribution pattern, whereas in preserved sites they are more regularly distributed [50]. The capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus) has rapid gut passage, and the feces are scattered and deposited at large distances from the parental tree [47].…”

Manipulación diferencial de frutos de Brosimum alicastrum por parte de primates y su efecto sobre la oferta para mamíferos consumidores secundarios

“…Primates are considered among primary dispersers of specific fruit species (Gautier-Hion et al 1993, Juliot 1996 and they are likely to differ not only in their role as primary dispersers but also in the way that postdispersal fate of seeds may be affected. Alouatta palliata and Cebus capucinus are the most widespread primate species in Costa Rica, and can be generally found foraging together and using the same fruit resources (Glander 1975, Wehncke et al 2001, 2004. It is well known that seed processing and handling behavior differ among Neotropical primates affecting visitation by secondary consumers (Terborgh 1983, Terborgh 1986.…”

Look before leaping: foraging selectivity of capuchin monkeys on acacia trees in Costa Rica

“…However, intact acacia seeds have been found in the monkeys' feces (Wehnke et al 2004;Valenta 2007), suggesting that consumed seeds are neither chewed to the point of destruction nor digested during gut passage. The aril of acacias is brightly colored, rich in lipids and probably evolved to attract seed dispersers (Janzen 1969;Handel and Beattie 1990).…”