Almacenadores y frugívoros oportunistas: el papel de los mamíferos en la dispersión del algarrobo (Prosopis flexuosa DC) en el desierto del Monte, Argentina

Abstract

Campos, C.M., Velez, S. 2015. Opportunistic scatter hoarders and frugivores: the role of mammals in dispersing Prosopis flexuosa in the Monte desert, Argentina . Ecosistemas 24(3): 28-34. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-3.05 Prosopis flexuosa woodlands provide multiple goods and services. Currently, they are undergoing a strong retraction as a result of a historical extractive use; hence it becomes urgent to promote the conservation and sustainable management of these woodlands as a system. The objective of this study is synthesizing the knowledge of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions between mammals and Prosopis fruits and seeds, particularly considering opportunistic animals that consume fruits: scatter hoarders and frugivores. Small rodents (such as Eligmodontia typus and Microcavia australis ) are potential seed dispersers because they predate on a few seeds and store the rest in caches on the ground surface. Opportunistic frugivores, like wild mammals ( Dolichotis patagonum, Lepus europaeus, Lycalopex griseus, Lama guanicoe, etc.), and domestic mammals (donkey, horse, cow) disperse seeds by endozoochory, affording benefits such as transport of huge numbers of seed, removal of the barriers maintaining dormancy and disinfection of insect-attacked seeds. However, endozoochory brings costs to the viability and germination capacity of seeds, depending on the disperser involved. In a scenario of continuous land use changes and global climate change, knowledge of the diverse array of animals that benefit dispersal provides scientific grounds for considering that the biodiversity associated with woodlands must be included in their management and conservation.