Frugivory and seed dispersal of Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dunal (Solanaceae) by birds in deciduous seasonal forest.

F A F Jacomassa

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.22114

Abstract

The goal of this study was to identify which bird species consume Solanum granuloso-leprosum fruits and disperse its seeds. 60 hours of focal observations were carried out between April and May 2006 on the edge of a deciduous forest fragment in the Uruguay River region, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Ten species were observed in total removing 443 fruits. Saltator similis removed 61.8% of the fruits, followed by Tangara sayaca (17.1%), Pipraeidea bonariensis (11.7%), and T. preciosa (6.8%), while the remaining six species accounted for only 2.5% of the fruits removed. Most fruit removal occurred early in the day or mid-afternoon. The most common feeding behaviors were picking (60.7%), followed by stalling (23%) and hovering (16%). Birds flew more than 10 m from the fruit plant in 62% of the removal events. All bird species observed here may be considered potential dispersers of S. granuloso-leprosum, as they moved the seeds away from the mother plant where strong competition and predation are likely to occur. Results also suggest that S. granuloso-leprosum may be useful in ecological restoration programs.

Highlights

Seed dispersal by vertebrates is fundamental for the reproductive success of many tropical plant species, in the Neotropical region where vertebrates vector up to 90% of plants (Howe and Smallwood, 1982; Fleming et al, 1987)
Studies of plant-frugivore interactions are needed in order to better understand the dynamics of colonization by pioneer plants and other species; of particular importance are studies evaluating frugivore behavior and location of seed deposit (Janzen, 1970; Connell, 1971; Herrera et al, 1994; Vasconcellos‐Neto et al, 2009)
The goal of this study was to determine which avian species use S. granuloso-leprosum fruits as a food source, as well as to determine the timing of and behaviors associated with fruit removal, the distance that the fruits were carried for feeding, and to evaluate agonistic behaviours

Summary

Introduction

Seed dispersal by vertebrates is fundamental for the reproductive success of many tropical plant species, in the Neotropical region where vertebrates vector up to 90% of plants (Howe and Smallwood, 1982; Fleming et al, 1987). This process represents the connection between the last plant reproductive stage and the first stage of population recruitment. Studies of plant-frugivore interactions are needed in order to better understand the dynamics of colonization by pioneer plants and other species; of particular importance are studies evaluating frugivore behavior and location of seed deposit (Janzen, 1970; Connell, 1971; Herrera et al, 1994; Vasconcellos‐Neto et al, 2009).

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