Seed Dispersal Research Articles

CLIMATOGENIC INFLUENCE AND PREDICTION OF SEASONAL RHYTHM CHANGES IN THE MAIN FOREST-FORMING SPECIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN CARPATHIANS

The article is devoted to the study of the phenological phenomena of the main forest-forming species (European spruce - Picea abies, white fir - Abies alba and forest beech - Fagus sylvatica) within the temperate climate zone (600-800 m a.s.l.) on the territory of the Carpathian National Nature Park for the period 2000-2022. The study employed a comprehensive set of field, instrumental, laboratory, analytical, and mathematical-statistical research methods, along with certain approaches applied in phenology and meteorology. According to the results of the statistical analysis, a significant influence of precipitation in March on the beginning of bud swelling (Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica species), the beginning of flowering trees (Picea abies, Abies alba species) and the onset of fruit ripening (Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica species) was revealed. and the beginning of seed dispersal (Picea abies, Abies alba species). It should be noted that the minimum air temperatures in July significantly affect phenological events that begin and continue at this time and later, in particular, the beginning of fruit ripening (Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica species) and the onset of seeds dispersal (in all species). Strong and moderate correlations between January-February maximum temperatures and various phenological events (e.g., in Picea abies, dates of shoot growth and flowering initiation; in Abies alba, dates of flowering initiation and seed ripening initiation; in Fagus sylvatica, dates of bud swelling and flowering initiation) suggest a notable impact of underground water, originating from meltwater during this period, on plant seasonal rhythms. The most difficult for modeling was the phenomenon of the beginning of flowering of trees, the formation of which is influenced by all involved climate predictors - precipitation, minimum and maximum air temperatures. Based on the results of the research, the initial long-term forecasting of the response of local forest crops to probable climate changes was carried out; so, it was shown that even under the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5), the dates of occurrence of all phenological phenomena of model tree species will be within the scope of the sample of actual data for the observation period of 2000-2022.

High Genetic Diversity in the Himalayan Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Germplasm with Divergence from Its Center of Origin in the Mesoamerica and Andes.

The common bean is found in the Himalayan region of Pakistan with substantial morphological variability. Genetic diversity within any crop species is a precursor for genetic improvement; however, little is known about common bean genetic diversity in this region. We explored the genetic diversity in the common bean from the Himalayan region (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir) of Pakistan. Microsatellite genotyping was carried out for 147 samples with 40 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results revealed a clear divergence of the Pakistani population from the primary gene pool (with FST values of 0.2 with Andes and 0.27 with Mesoamerica). However, within the Himalayan germplasm, no clear evidence of spatial structure was observed (with the maximum FST values of only 0.025), probably due to the dispersal of seeds by human activity within the region. This was further elucidated by the discriminant analyses of principal components. Considering the diversity parameters, high genotypic diversity was observed for the indigenous lines (0.990), comparable to the primary gene pool (0.976 for Mesoamerica and 0.976 for Andes populations). A high genotypic diversity was observed within the Himalayan population (ranging from 0.500 for Upper Dir to 0.952 for Mansehra). Gene diversity across loci varied between 0.28 for Chitral to 0.38 for Kurram. Our results suggested a divergent and independent evolution of the Himalayan population, which might have led to the diversification of the common bean germplasm in the region postintroduction into the region. The diversity observed could also be exploited in future breeding programs for the development and introduction of climate-resilient varieties.

Linking pollen limitation and seed dispersal effectiveness.

Seed production and dispersal are crucial ecological processes impacting plant demography, species distributions and community assembly. Plant-animal interactions commonly mediate both seed production and seed dispersal, but current research often examines pollination and seed dispersal separately, which hinders our understanding of how pollination services affect downstream dispersal services. To fill this gap, we propose a conceptual framework exploring how pollen limitation can impact the effectiveness of seed dispersal for endozoochorous and myrmecochorous plant species. We summarize the quantitative and qualitative effects of pollen limitation on plant reproduction and use Optimal Foraging Theory to predict its impact on the foraging behaviour of seed dispersers. In doing so, we offer a new framework that poses numerous hypotheses and empirical tests to investigate links between pollen limitation and seed dispersal effectiveness and, consequently, post-dispersal ecological processes occurring at different levels of biological organization. Finally, considering the importance of pollination and seed dispersal outcomes to plant eco-evolutionary dynamics, we discussed the implications of our framework for future studies exploring the demographic and evolutionary impacts of pollen limitation for animal-dispersed plants.

Evaluation of the Potential Seed Dispersal Effectiveness of Malus sieversii (Lebed.) M. Roem. by Cattle

The success of plant reproduction is highly dependent on effective seed dispersal. This study aimed to evaluate the potential seed dispersal effectiveness of cattle for Malus sieversii. The impact of cattle on the dispersal quantity and dispersal quality of M. sieversii seeds was explored based on camera trapping, GPS tracking, and germination trials. The results showed that, on average, cattle visited M. sieversii trees 477.33 times during a two-month observation period. Out of these visits, 315 were specifically for fruit removal. The fruit removal rate per cattle visit was as high as 96.67%. Additionally, cattle were able to disperse M. sieversii seeds up to a maximum distance of 533.67 m, with an average dispersal distance of 134.62 m. The average distance of cattle movement was recorded as 176.95 m/h, with peak activity observed during 11:00–13:00 and 19:00–21:00. The germination rate of M. sieversii seeds that passed through the digestive tract of cattle was significantly higher than that of control seeds. Finally, the emergence rate and survival rate of seeds dispersed by cattle to forest edges and gaps were significantly higher than those dispersed to understory. These findings suggest that cattle can serve as effective long-distance dispersers of M. sieversii seeds and may play a crucial role in the regeneration and expansion of M. sieversii populations in the Ili Botanical Garden.

Intra and Interspecific Relation of Tree Species Aspects of Seed Biometry, Phenology, Seed Dispersion, and Germination

Bangladesh, with its dense population and diverse ecological landscape, embodies a unique environmental tapestry. This study explores the intricate interplay between tree phenology, seed dispersal seed germination, and biometric characteristics within the context of Bangladesh's rich biodiversity. Through field research conducted from 2020 to 2023 in the Chittagong division, we investigated species such as Artocarpus chama, Avicennia officinalis, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, and Terminalia chebula. The findings reveal significant variations in seed morphology, phenology, germination, and ecological roles among these species. Furthermore, through dendrogram analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), we elucidate the underlying patterns and relationships governing biometric variability. These insights provide valuable contributions to our understanding of ecological processes and inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving Bangladesh's forest tree biodiversity.

Effect of artificial perches and the avifauna involved in the ecological restoration of a mined area in the south of Brazil

The present study analyzed the effect of artificial perches in the supply of vegetal propagules and in the avifauna attraction in degraded area due to mining, in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. The seed rain was sampled monthly from December, 2014 to April, 2015, in four collector tables arranged under artificial perches and in four control collector tables (without perches). We compared the seeds number by the Mann-Whitney U test (5% probability level) and used the Spearman correlation to calculate the association degree among the visitor birds on perches and the seeds number sampled in the collectors under perches. The avifauna monitoring was performed during the same period by fixed point method, totalizing 40 hours of sampled effort. The treatments differed statistically, with registration of 1588 seeds in the tables under perches and 237 seeds in the tables without perches. The sampling of seed rain in the perches followed the pattern of avifauna visitation, presenting high value to coefficient of association degree (0.975). We observed nine species of birds in the study area, and the Tyrannidae family was predominant. The species observed visiting the artificial perches were Knipolegus lophotes and Tyrannus melancholicus, both from Tyrannidae family. The number of sampled seeds demonstrates that artificial perches were efficient to return seed rain in the mined areas. The Tyrannidae family demonstrates to be the most effective group of birds to dispersion of seeds in the local of study.

Dispersal modes affect Rhamnaceae diversification rates in a differentiated manner.

The evolution of dispersal modes has been proposed to promote the diversification of angiosperms. However, little is known about the relative impact of different dispersal modes on plant diversification. We test the association between dispersal modes and diversification rates using Rhamnaceae, the cosmopolitan buckthorn family, as a model. We found that species with diplochory have the highest diversification rates followed by those with myrmecochory and ballistic dispersal, while lineages dispersed by vertebrates and wind have relatively low diversification rates. The difference in diversification rates may be closely linked to the difference in dispersal distance and ecological interactions implied by each dispersal mode. Species which disperse over larger geographical distances may have much higher speciation rates due to the increased chance of establishing isolated populations due to geological barriers or habitat fragmentation. However, long-distance dispersal may also increase the chance of extinction. By contrast, species with short-distance dispersal modes may have low speciation rates. Complex interactions with the surrounding environment may, however, impact diversification rates positively by increasing plant survival and reproductive success.

Mediterranean vineyard soil seed bank characterization along a slope/disturbance gradient: Opportunities for land sharing

The Mediterranean region is predicted to experience more intense rainfall events separated by severe droughts due to climate change. In agrosystems, the intensification of rainfall on dry bare soils will lead to an increase in runoff and erosion rates, especially on slopes. A common method to reduce erosion is to cover the soil with vegetation. To save costs, this vegetation could be provided by the soil seed bank. Vineyards situated on slopes are part of the typical Mediterranean landscape; thus, developing vegetation cover inside vineyards could be a solution to fight growing erosion risks in addition to providing other valuable services. However, the relationship between slope, erosion and seed loss can vary. Another key ingredient in the development of spontaneous vegetation cover is the spatial dispersal of seeds from one place to another, but the amount of seeds displaced depends on their respective dispersal modes. In this study, we sampled the soil seed bank at two sites characterized by either a low or high frequency of vegetation removal. The soil seed bank was sampled along a transect starting upslope of the vineyards to the bottom of neighboring agricultural ditches. Germination trials were carried out to define the soil seed bank in terms of species and seed density. Each identified species was linked with a main dispersal mode. Our main objective was to assess the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss inside a vineyard, as well as the potential differences in the soil seed bank along our transect and the influence of dispersal mode on those differences. Despite previous contradictory literature, vegetation did not seem to protect interrows from seed loss caused by runoff. Overall, our results support the use of the soil seed bank to provide spontaneous vegetation cover to limit present and future erosion rates and advocate for relaxing vegetation removal operations.

The black-backed jackal as a seed disperser

Black-backed jackal Lupulella mesomelas consume fruits and their seeds, yet their seed dispersing ability is poorly understood. We extracted, identified and counted seeds from 150 jackal scat samples, and quantified the viability and germination capacity of ingested seeds, using tetrazolium viability tests and germination trials. We recovered 336 seeds of Grewia occidentalis, 1025 seeds of Pappea capensis, 362 seeds of Diospyros lycioides, 296 seeds of Vachellia karroo and 2 seeds of an unknown species from the scats. Seed viability and germination of three species tested (G. occidentalis, P. capensis and D. lycioides) were significantly lower than uningested seeds, but many seeds did survive ingestion by jackal and germinated successfully. Our study confirms that jackal do play a role in endozoochory and provides the first evidence of reduced germination of these dispersed seeds, broadening our understanding of the ecological role of this heavily persecuted mesopredator.

Influence of spring and autumn frosts on Impatiens glandulifera populations in the Sofia region (Bulgaria)

The present study aims to analyze and determine to what extent spring and autumn frosts affect the population size and life cycle of this invasive alien species (IAS). The study area is located in the immediate vicinity of the capital Sofia and covers the  Iskar River stream and its tributaries in the gorge between Plana and Lozenska Mountains (Southwestern Bulgaria). The study was carried out in the period 2020-2022. Six permanent sample plots (PSP), each measuring 10 m2, were established in characteristic localities of I. glandulifera populations along the Iskar River and its tributaries (Table 1). Each year, during the spring and autumn frosts, the percentage of dead individuals of I. glandulifera relative to the total number of individuals of this species in the PSP was recorded. During the autumn frosts, the number of alive individuals in the following phenological stages was also recorded: flowering; fruiting; dispersal of fruits and seeds; end of growing season. The results show that frosts in the study area did not significantly affect the population size and life cycle of I. glandulifera. The death of the whole population оccurs only in permanent periods of negative daytime temperatures, however a significant part of the individuals at that time are in a generative stage of development. The temperature conditions in the area favor the invasiveness of I. glandulifera, extending the vegetation period of this species and the possibilities for its reproduction and spread.  

Habemus seeds but they are non-viable: The importance of assessing seed viability in seed rain

Seed rain is critical for forest recovery, especially in abandoned lands that have been converted to agriculture. However, such a critical role depends on seed viability, which has been largely overlooked in most seed rain studies. We assessed the viability of seeds in the seed rain falling into 12 plots from a Brazilian tropical dry forest: six plots exposed to slash-and-burn agriculture (‘burned plots’ = 111 seeds from 10 species) and six located in forest stands (‘control plots’ = 5267 seeds from 23 species). Using the tetrazolium test, we found that only 767 of 5378 seeds (14%) from 16 species were viable, but surprisingly, seed viability was 2.2 times higher in burned plots than in control ones. This does not imply that forest regeneration through seed rain is more effective in burned plots, as very few seeds arrived at these plots. A functional analysis revealed that the higher seed viability in burned plots may be explained by the fact that these plots were dominated by relatively large, hard-coated (orthodox), and abiotically dispersed seeds, with some type of dormancy, as seeds with these functional trait attributes showed the highest viability. To accurately assess the importance of seed rain for forest regeneration we must consider seed viability, as it can be very low in some places, especially if dominated by species with relatively small, animal-dispersed and recalcitrant seeds lacking dormancy.

Potential Seed Dispersal by Persian Wild Ass in South Central Iran

Seed dispersal plays a pivotal role in plant ecology, impacting various aspects such as dispersal, reproduction, and population dynamics. In this study, we investigated the endozoochoric seed dispersal by the onager or Persian wild ass (Equus hemionus onager) in Qatrouiyeh National Park, located in south-central Iran. Fecal samples were collected from three plains within the park over three seed production seasons. A subsequent greenhouse experiment was conducted to identify and quantify the germinated seedlings. We discovered a total of 63 plant species across 45 genera and 21 families, with the majority of species categorized as annual or perennial forbs. Seasonal variations were observed for seedling count, species richness, and species diversity, with peak values observed during autumn. The seedlings consisted primarily of forbs (86%), followed by grasses (10%) and other plant types (4%). Astragalus podolobus, Lepidium vesicarium, and Chenopodium album emerged as the most abundant species from the fecal samples. Our findings shed light on the critical role played by the onager in the dispersal of numerous plant species and emphasized the potential cascading effects of herbivore-mediated seed dispersal. This highlights the significance of conserving and restoring the remaining populations of this threatened subspecies in arid habitats, where seed dispersal by abiotic factors is limited.

Frugivore-mediated seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes: Compositional and functional turnover from forest to matrix.

Seed dispersal by frugivores is a fundamental function for plant community dynamics in fragmented landscapes, where forest remnants are typically embedded in a matrix of anthropogenic habitats. Frugivores can mediate both connectivity among forest remnants and plant colonization of the matrix. However, it remains poorly understood how frugivore communities change from forest to matrix due to the loss or replacement of species with traits that are less advantageous in open habitats and whether such changes ultimately influence the composition and traits of dispersed plants via species interactions. Here, we close this gap by using a unique dataset of seed-dispersal networks that were sampled in forest patches and adjacent matrix habitats of seven fragmented landscapes across Europe. We found a similar diversity of frugivores, plants, and interactions contributing to seed dispersal in forest and matrix, but a high turnover (replacement) in all these components. The turnover of dispersed seeds was smaller than that of frugivore communities because different frugivore species provided complementary seed dispersal in forest and matrix. Importantly, the turnover involved functional changes toward larger and more mobile frugivores in the matrix, which dispersed taller, larger-seeded plants with later fruiting periods. Our study provides a trait-based understanding of frugivore-mediated seed dispersal through fragmented landscapes, uncovering nonrandom shifts that can have cascading consequences for the composition of regenerating plant communities. Our findings also highlight the importance of forest remnants and frugivore faunas for ecosystem resilience, demonstrating a high potential for passive forest restoration of unmanaged lands in the matrix.

Interactive effects of two rodent species on the seed dispersal of Japanese walnut

The effects of seed dispersers on plant fitness (seed dispersal effectiveness, SDE) have been evaluated based on the number (quantity) and recruitment probability (quality) of dispersed seeds. Although seeds of most zoochorous species are dispersed by two or more animal species, which may interact with each other, SDE has often been studied assuming a one-plant and one-animal species system. We compared the SDE of Japanese walnut (Juglans ailanthifolia) between squirrel-only and squirrel-mouse sites in natural forests of Hokkaido, Japan, and found that the SDE from the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), considered a primary seed disperser, was altered by an alternative seed disperser species, the Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus). Seed removal rates at the squirrel-mouse site were significantly higher than those at the squirrel-only site, and both dispersed seeds and seedlings were less aggregated, with a strongly repulsive relationship with adult conspecific trees at the squirrel-mouse site. Seedlings established themselves at a location with fewer medium-sized trees (< 10 cm DBH) at the squirrel-mouse site. These results suggest that the interactive effect of the rodent species affects the SDE of Japanese walnut.

Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Visualize Pesticide Accumulation and Time-Dependent Distribution in Fungicide-Coated Seeds.

Pesticide seed treatment provides efficient crop protection in the early season and enables a reduction in the quantity of fungicides used later. Hence, it has been a practical application for crop protection in major crop sectors such as corn, soybean, wheat, and cotton. The chemicals on pesticide-treated seeds may show different distributions depending on the structure of the seeds and the physical properties of the chemicals, but they have not been well studied because of a lack of versatile analytical tools. Here, we used mass spectrometry imaging to visualize the distribution of a fungicide (ethaboxam) in corn and soybean seeds coated with it. Contrasting distribution patterns were noted, which are likely dependent on the seed structure. We also obtained information on fungicide distribution after the seedings, which will contribute to a better understanding of the fungicide delivery pathway within plants. Using this new analytical method, we were able to obtain hitherto unavailable time-dependent, dynamic information on the ethaboxam. We expect that this method will be a useful tool with widespread applications in pesticide development and use. Copyright © 2023 Shuichi Shimma, Hiromi Saito, Takuya Inoue, and Fukumatsu Iwahashi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.

The effectiveness of ichthyochoric dispersal in forested wetlands of the Amazon depends on the species of fish and its size

The interaction between fish and plants in Amazon floodplain is fundamental for the maintenance of frugivorous fish and tree communities. The viability of seeds after passing through the digestive tract of fish is a central factor for seed dispersal since it can influence colonization and regeneration of these environments. Our study investigated the seed dispersal by frugivorous fish in a flooded forest in the Central Amazon. We also evaluated the seed germination speed after passage of the digestive tract of fish and how the size of fish and the seeds can influence the dispersion of tree seeds in floodplains. A total of 5,012 seeds from 49 plant species were found in the digestive tracts of 11 frugivorous fish species. The length and weight of the frugivorous fish were positively related to the size of seeds in the digestive tract. The germination of the seeds removed from the fish varied between species. The passage of the seeds of the different plant species through the digestive tracts of the fish did not significantly increase the germination speed. Considering the anthropogenic pressures present in these environments, we can expect that a reduction in body size for some species of fish, due to overexploitation, may have negative consequences for some tree species that are dispersed mainly via ichthyochory.

How many seeds can birds disperse?: Determining the pattern of seed deposition by frugivorous birds

Frugivorous birds are the primary seed dispersers for fleshy-fruited plants through defecation. In general, small-sized species disperse seeds across short distances from parental plants. However, multiple seeds or seeds of different plant species are frequently mixed in the fecal mass, because birds are prone to eat multiple fruits of a few plant species during foraging. This suggests birds deposit seeds as clumps in the field, causing inter- and intraspecific competition. However, the exact number of dispersed seeds for each defecation is very hard to estimate in field. It may also vary according to several variables, such as body size of birds and number of seeds per fruit. To clarify seed deposition patterns, we captured small frugivorous birds and collected the feces and regurgitations. The number of seeds excreted in fecal samples was investigated. From 2003 to 2019, a total number of 21518 seeds from 60 plant species were collected from 2214 birds of 17 species. Average number of seeds included in the fecal sample was 9.7 ± SD 18.4 (range: 1–340). The frequency of the number of excreted seeds was not normally distributed and the mode value was one in all cases and for five main dispersers. In most cases (64.8–74.5%), birds excreted a single seed. Furthermore, the effects of morphological traits of birds and plants on number of excreted seeds were analyzed using GLMM. The body mass of birds had a positive effect on the number of excreted seeds. However, fruit and seed weight exhibited negative effects, suggesting the number of excreted seeds is smaller when smaller birds eat larger fruits bearing larger seeds. The seed deposition pattern based on excretion of a single seed may avoid seed and seedling aggregation at local sites.

Modeling wind-driven seed dispersal using a coupled Lagrangian particle tracking and 1-D [formula omitted]-[formula omitted] turbulence model

We present a one-dimensional k-ɛ model and a Markov chain stochastic Lagrangian particle tracking model to study wind-driven dispersal of forest and grassland seeds. The turbulence model within and above the canopy is implemented for transient winds so that time series of profiles of mean velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, dissipation rate, and the root-mean-square of fluctuating velocity components can be modeled. We validate the model for steady state conditions using observations in a wide range of canopies, and apply the model for predicting time series of seed dispersal of Andropogon gerardii in a tall grass prairie in Missouri, United States. The stochastic seed dispersal model is validated against experimental data from a Quercus-Carya (oak-hickory) forest where seeds were released from different heights for a range of wind speeds. Using the model, we explore the detailed seed movement trajectories, instantaneous velocities, and investigate the relationship between dispersal distance and the seed falling duration and the mean fluctuating velocity during the falling. Moreover, examining the role of individual turbulent velocity components, we elucidate the different roles of horizontal and vertical velocity fluctuations, i.e., the horizontal component mainly contributes to the seed spreading in the wind direction, while the vertical component enhances the long tail of the distribution in the downstream direction, i.e., promoting long-distance-dispersal of seeds by wind.

Woodland loss differently affects seed dispersal by resident and migratory avian frugivores in olive grove-dominated landscapes

Seed dispersal by frugivores is a key ecological process underpinning the functionality of woodland patches and their capacity to maintain biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Resident and migratory avian frugivores differ in temporal span of their local occurrence, as well as in mobility and territoriality. However, whether landscape homogenization by agriculture affects seed dispersal by avian frugivores differing in migratory strategy remains largely unexplored. We hypothesized a positive role of woodland patches on avian frugivore abundance and seed-dispersal frequency, and a differential impact of woodland loss and landscape simplification on resident and migratory frugivorous birds. We tested these hypotheses in 20 farms distributed along a gradient of woodland loss and olive cropland expansion in south Spain, considering woodland patches and olive fields as two habitats to survey avian frugivore abundance and frequency of seed dispersal. We confirmed that both the abundance and seed-dispersal frequency of avian frugivores were higher in woodland patches than in olive fields, and also that both decayed with decreasing woodland cover. This was largely mediated by a few European (winter) migrants and secondarily by some resident species. However, the woodland patches were unable to intercept sub-Saharan (summer) migrants in sufficient numbers as to make their contribution to dispersal of summer fruits meaningful. Woodland patches with higher seed-dispersal function were located predominantly in landscapes with high woodland cover and/or fruit availability. Moreover, a relatively high woodland cover in the landscape enhanced the seed dispersal function in woodland patches through a balance between high overall frugivore abundance and dispersal frequency, and some increased activity of resident and summer migrants. Our results also inform that the presence of particularly fruit-rich woodland patches can compensate the woodland cover required to maintain the function by enhancing the frequency of seed dispersal of all migratory groups. In contrast, to maintain the function of fruit-poor woodlands their cover at landscape scale should increase. Preserving and restoring woodland patches at landscape scale and enhancing their abundance and diversity of fruits could boost the activity of different disperser groups and their functional complementarity across agricultural landscapes.

Fruit and seed traits and vertebrate-fruit interactions of tree species occurring in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Seed dispersal is widely considered an important mechanism for the conservation of plant diversity. In tropical regions, over 80% of woody plant species are dispersed by vertebrates, often through the consumption of fruits. Our understanding of what drives interactions between vertebrates and fruits is limited. Through a systematic literature search, we compiled a database of fruit and seed traits and vertebrate-fruit interactions for tree and vertebrate species occurring in the Guianas, with the aim of facilitating research into seed dispersal and seed predation of tree species in the Guianas. The database was compiled by extracting data from 264 published sources. It consists of 21,082 records, of which 19,039 records contain information about 19 different fruit and seed traits belonging to 1622 different tree species. The other 2043 records contain information on vertebrate-fruit interactions between 161 vertebrate species and 464 tree species. Our analyses showed a taxonomic bias, particularly in the interaction data, toward large-bodied vertebrates, with most interactions recorded for the bearded saki (Chiropotes chiropotes), followed by the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). For plants we found an overrepresentation of the Sapotaceae and Moraceae families and an underrepresentation of the Rubiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Lauraceae families in the interactions. There are no copyright restrictions on the data set; please cite this publication when using these data.