Efectividad cualitativa del ganado caprino en la dispersión de especies de frutos secos y carnosos

Abstract

Mancilla-Leyton, J.M., Fernandez-Ales, R., Martin Vicente, A. 2015. Seed dispersal effectiveness of shrubs by goat. Ecosistemas 24(3): 22-27. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-3.04 We evaluated the role of domestic goats as seed dispersers of eight representative Mediterranean shrub species ( Cistus salviifolius, C. libanotis, Halimum halimifolium, H. calycinum, Myrtus communis, Phillyrea angustifolia, Pistacia lentiscus and Rhamnus lycioides ). Six female goats of similar size and age were fed with fruits of study species. Following fruits ingestion by goats, total faeces were collected at 24-h intervals. The seeds retrieved were tested for germination and viability, along with seeds not eaten by the goats. Less than 30% of the seeds eaten were retrieved from the dung, with significant differences between species. C. salviifolius showing the maximum recovery percentage (30%), and P. lentiscus the minimum (0%). Seed recovery was significantly related to seed hardness. In most species, the maximum amount of seeds recovered occurred 24-72 h after ingestion. The passage through the goat gut significantly increased seed germination in C. salviifolius, H. halimifolium, H. calycinum and P. angustifolia . The results of this study show that goats can potentially favour (Cistaceae) or inhibit (fleshy fruits) seed dispersal of browsed Mediterranean shrub species. Therefore, these results should be considered when developing conservation and restoration plans of natural vegetation in Mediterranean areas.