Seed dispersal of Chinese tallow-tree Sapium sebiferum by Birds

Abstract

Fruit of the Chinese tallow-tree Sapium sebiferum have white sarcocarp and dehiscence in autumn. The sarcocarp dries on the branch soon after the dehiscence. We observed eight bird species eating the fruit of S. sebiferum. Two species of crows Corvus corone and C. macrorhynchos, the Grey Starling Sturnus cineraceus and the Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis swallowed the fruit and excreted the seeds. The Tree Sparrow Passer montanus, the Great Tit Parus major and the Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica took only a small part of the sarcocarp and left the seeds on the branch.The Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis took a lot of fruits and digested the seeds.The Tree Sparrow, the Great Tit, the Oriental Greenfinch, and the Turtle Dove are not seed dispersers, but a kind of seed parasite or predator.