Avian Frugivores Fruit Choice in the Forest Patch of Federal College of Forestry Jos, Plateau State Nigeria

Kambai Collina,Nanlir Janfa,Francis M. Junior,Chomini M. Stephen,Kabeer Sani

doi:10.48198//njpas/20.b14

Abstract

The flora community which attract a different frugivores may be important to the survival of such frugivores. Relationship between avian biodiversity and fruit producing plants may reflect avian fruit choice or preference. This research was done on avian frugivores fruit choice within the forest cover of Federal College of Forestry, Jos in order to study the species and their activity on fruit-producing plants in the site and to compare encounter rate and diversity of avian frugivores across habitats. Bird species were estimated and 212 individual fruit-eating avian species were counted on 28 species of fruit producing plants during this survey. Mean number of fruiteating birds did not differ significantly in the habitats (F63 = 0.1245, Adjusted R2 = -0.02769, P = 0.8832). The abundance of birds in relation to plant species showed a very high significant difference (2 = 339.55, df = 27, P < 0.001). Shannon weiner diversity of birds calculated showed that the diversity in relation to habitat types showed no significant difference (2= 0.045285, df = 2, P = 0.9776). This habitat should therefore be seen as an important habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Highlights

Higher plants are a major diet for frugivores especially the avian species in a typical ecosystem (Walker 2007; Jordano 2014; Daru et al, 2015)
Birds are a key component of all ecosystems playing important ecological roles in seed dispersal which can contribute to the maintenance of species diversity (Snow 1981; Wenny and Levey 1998 Holbrook and Smith 2000; Peh and Chong 2003)
A total of 212 individual frugivorous birds were recorded on 28 species of fruits producing plants during this survey (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Higher plants are a major diet for frugivores especially the avian species in a typical ecosystem (Walker 2007; Jordano 2014; Daru et al, 2015) Such fruit producing trees are seen as an important resource which is sometimes marked and defended by avian species that utilize them. Birds are a key component of all ecosystems playing important ecological roles in seed dispersal which can contribute to the maintenance of species diversity (Snow 1981; Wenny and Levey 1998 Holbrook and Smith 2000; Peh and Chong 2003). Fruit producing trees such as the figs for example are well known as a key component of fruit resources in tropical forests (Lamberts and Marshall, 1991; Shanaban et al, 2003). It is widely believed that foraging animals do not possess the sensory equipment to discriminate precisely among prey of varying profitability and to overcome this problem, animals must make foraging decisions using alternative mechanism

Methods

Results

Conclusion