Abstract
AbstractAbundance and dispersion of five fruiting plant species the seeds of which are commonly dispersed by chimpanzees were investigated at Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania from August 2000 to February 2001. All plant individuals encountered within twenty‐three 50 × 50 m plots were counted and allocated to demographic stages. Plots were allocated proportionally to the main vegetation types in the chimpanzee range. Density and the demographic stages of individuals within 50 m radii of 10 adult conspecifics for four of the five sample species were also investigated. Overall, densities of individuals varied greatly by species and growth stages within the chimpanzee ranging space. Dispersion of the five plant species tested, irrespective of growth stages, showed a clumped pattern. However, Saba comorensis was the most evenly dispersed, irrespective of growth stage. Densities of juveniles and adults generally declined away from adult conspecifics, except for Syzygium guineense. These results are discussed in view of chimpanzees as potential seed dispersers. The hyper‐dispersion of S. comorensis appears to mirror the profound intensive and extensive dispersal of its seeds by chimpanzees, which are the main eaters of this fruit in the study area.
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