Impact of Forpus xanthopterygius (Spix, 1824) (Aves, Psittacidae) on flowers of Handroanthus serratifolius (Vahl.) S. O. Grose (Bignoniaceae)

Ad Oliveira,Ca Borges,J Tavares,G Ribeiro,C Melo

doi:10.1590/s1519-69842009000500020

Ad Oliveira, Ca Borges + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1519-69842009000500020

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Abstract

Handroanthus serratifolius produces flowers during the dry season in the Cerrado biome, and it may be an important food source to some bird species. For Psittacidae species, like Forpus xanthopterygius, flowers are important in their diet. This study intended to characterize the behavior of F.xanthopterygius and evaluate the damage to the flowering and in the reproduction of H. serratifolius. Four individuals of H. serratifolius were observed for 60 hours to register size of groups, the time and duration of visit, and the number of flowers predated by F.xanthopterygius. The groups that visited the plants had between 2 and 12 individuals. The mean time of visits was 60.31 minutes (+/-22.29). The size of groups was correlated to number of flowers predated and was influenced by number of flowers offered. During the flowering, each H. serratifolius individual loses approximately 1,052 flowers per week.

Highlights

IntroductionO. Grose (Bignoniaceae), commonly known as theYellow Ipe, is a tree found in most parts of the Brazilian territory, in secondary formations, such as “capoeiras” and “capoeirões”
The flowering of H. serratifolius intensified by the third week of August, undergoing a steep increase up until the second week of September and declining during the following weeks
Forpus xanthopterygius visited the flowers in groups of two to twelve birds

Summary

Introduction

O. Grose (Bignoniaceae), commonly known as theYellow Ipe, is a tree found in most parts of the Brazilian territory, in secondary formations, such as “capoeiras” and “capoeirões”. Flowering occurs from August to November and the fruits mature between October and December (Lorenzi, 1992). serratifolius produces flowers during the dry season in the Cerrado biome, it may be an important food source for some bird species. The nectar is a caloric reward compatible with some birds’ energetic demands and so this resource attracts diverse taxa that can act as pollinators (Lotz and Schondube 2006)

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