Seed Dispersal and Ingestion of Insect‐Infested Seeds by Black Howler Monkeys in Flooded Forests of the Parana River, Argentina

Abstract

ABSTRACTAll howler monkey species (Alouatta spp.) have a folivorous–frugivorous diet. Howler monkeys are reported to be seed dispersers in several areas, including black howlers (Alouatta caraya), which are important seed dispersers in northern Argentinean forests. The goal of this work was to study the three‐way interaction between insects, seeds, and black howlers, and assess the functional significance of this tri‐trophic interaction for seed dispersal. I determined through direct observation that fruits of species with a high proportion of insect infestation were important components of howler monkey diet. Ocotea diospyrifolia seeds from fresh faeces of black howlers contained dead larvae, but seeds were still able to germinate. Seeds in which larvae had reached an advanced stage of development did not germinate. Larvae of infested Eugenia punicifolia fruits were killed by digestion when they occurred in the pulp early in the fruiting season, but were dispersed alive with seeds later in the season. Banara arguta fruits contained both healthy and infested seeds; infested seeds were destroyed during digestion, while healthy seeds were dispersed. Black howlers' ingestion of infested fruits could result in the: (1) killing of larvae and dispersion of healthy seeds; (2) spread of larvae; or (3) destruction of infested seeds. This will depend on the relationship between the time at which fruit is consumed by black howlers, the time at which insect infestation occurs, and also probably on the hardness of the seed coat and the seed–insect size ratio.