Seed Dispersal of the Palm Syagrus romanzoffiana by Tapirs in the Semi‐deciduous Atlantic Forest of Argentina

Abstract

Vertebrates play a fundamental role in the dispersal of Neotropical trees, generating different seed shadows according to their physical and behavioral features. Tapirs are capable of consuming great quantities of large fruits, and they defecate seeds far from parent trees. For instance, intact seeds of the palm Syagrus romanzoffiana have been found in tapir dung piles in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, suggesting that tapirs effectively disperse this species. However, recruitment was not examined therein. We studied tapir endozoochory of large and medium seeds in the semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest of Argentina by examining dung piles found within Iguazu National Park. We recorded dung-pile positions to evaluate the spatial distribution. We also counted the number of juveniles in 2 Â 2 m quadrats placed on old dung piles in latrines, beneath adults and in random sites to estimate recruitment levels. Syagrus romanzoffiana seeds were present in 98 percent of dung piles, averaging 4 200 seeds/dung pile, indicating that this species constitutes the main fruit component in the tapir's diet. Dung piles showed a clumped deposition pattern reflecting the use of latrines. Juvenile recruitment in latrines was 21 times higher than that of under-adult sites and 500 times greater than in random sites, and correlated with the frequency of use of the areas. We concluded that the lowland tapir is a major disperser of S. romanzoffiana. Given that this palm can be considered a keystone species, a disruption of this interaction might affect the entire community of frugivores in the long term.Abstract in Spanish is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/btp.

Spatial Pattern of Pindó Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) Recruitment in Argentinian Atlantic Forest: The Importance of Tapir and Effects of Defaunation

“…This seed transport over long distances and repeated defecation of large amounts of seeds in circumscribed sites ( i.e ., latrines) creates a clustered dispersal pattern (Giombini et al . ).…”

Longevidad y germinación de semillas de Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) y sus implicaciones ecológicas

“…Thus, we believe that the behavior of the seeds in the bank is dependent on the habitat and time of dispersal. S. romanzoffiana seeds are dispersed within fruits that contain a fleshy mesocarp that is primarily consumed by birds and mammals before and after dispersion (Giombini et al, 2009). Some of these dispersers may eventually bury the fruits, which favors conservation and allows seed germination when placed in favorable conditions (Orozco-Segovia et al, 2003).…”

“…In Brazil, this species is found in several phytophysiognomies that have significant differences related to climate and vegetation structure and include subtropical forests, dry forests, Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), Atlantic Forest and Restinga (Guix, & Ruiz, 2000;Brancalion, Novembre, & Rodrigues, 2011). The queen palm produces fleshy fruits and is an ecologically important species because of its interaction with frugivorous birds and mammals that also act as seed dispersers (Giombini, Bravo, & Martínez, 2009).…”

The key role of the largest extant Neotropical frugivore (Tapirus terrestris) in promoting admixture of plant genotypes across the landscape

“…) or currently rely on tapirs, the largest frugivores in the Neotropics, for long‐distance dispersal ( e.g ., Fragoso & Huffman , Giombini et al . ).…”