Fruits Of Plant Species Research Articles

Composition and clumping of seeds deposited by frugivorous birds varies between forest microsites

More frequent deposition of seeds by frugivores beneath plants in fruit could impose spatial limits to the distribution of plants dispersed by animals and contribute to species coexistence. Also, differences in diet and use of microhabitats by seed dispersers could promote spatial variation in the combination of seed species deposited. We investigated patterns of seed deposition ofMiconia fosteriandMiconia serrulata(Melastomataceae) by birds in the Amazon. The goal was to determine how distribution and abundance of fruiting plants, both con‐ and hetero‐specifics, affect the spatial variability in clumping and composition of multi‐specific seed deposition. We established two 9‐ha plots in undisturbed terra‐firme understory in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Seed rain was sampled with seed traps located in four microsites: below plants of the focal species, belowAnthurium eminens(Araceae), and in randomly selected microsites. We examined seed deposition in these microsites in relation to habitat, fruiting neighborhood (fruit abundance, and distance to and density of plants of the target species), and crop size ofM. fosteriorM. serrulatato determine if microsites differed in abundance and species composition of seeds. Seed traps below plants in fruit received more seeds than did randomly located traps. Seeds of the target species were, moreover, more commonly deposited below con‐ rather than hetero‐specific plants. Seed aggregation below fruiting plants increased in forest neighborhoods where the abundance of fruits and the combination of fruiting plant species contributed to the arrival of seeds. Microsites differed notably in the combination of seeds deposited by frugivores, and differences were less pronounced among microsites that received seeds ofM. fosteriandM. serrulatathan among all microsites where at least some seed species were deposited by birds. We demonstrate that two closely related, ecologically similar species possess many similarities in their patterns of seed deposition and in the factors that affect those patterns. The combination of seed species deposited below foci of dispersal depended on the fruiting plant species, and the spatial patterns of seed deposition varied with the location of the microsite and the combination of co‐dispersed species in the neighborhood. Similar species that share the same dispersers were confronted with different combinations of seeds depending on the microsite where they arrived, which could promote forest heterogeneity in the combination of plant species.

Survey of antioxidant capacity and nutritional quality of selected edible and medicinal fruit plants in Hong Kong

Twenty-two samples (including fruits, pulp, peel, or seeds) from 13 edible and medicinal fruit plant species selected in Hong Kong were investigated for their antioxidant capacity, nutritional quality and phenolic profiles. Significant variation existed among the tested samples in all the antioxidant and nutritional parameters. Proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified as major categories of phenolic compounds in these samples. Whole fruits of Hong Kong gordonia exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity (213.4 mmol trolox/100 g DW) and had the second highest content of carotenoids. Seeds of Annona squamosa possessed the highest contents of total protein, fat and amino acids (17.6, 37.2 and 14.4%, respectively). Most peel and some seeds contained high levels of phenolics, carotenoids and vitamin C, which contributed to their strong antioxidant activity. Some of the fruits, peel or seeds from these Hong Kong plants can be a potential resource of functional components and nutraceuticals.

Aromatic Plant Species Mentioned in the Holy Qura’n and Ahadith and Their Ethnomedicinal Importance

3 Abstract: In view of the importance of this study comprehensive detailed data was collected from Holy Quran, Ahadiths books and books written on the Islamic medicines. Present findings confined to 10 fruit plant species belonging to 10 genera of 9 families. The plant species are: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats. & Nakai, Cucumis sativus L., Cydonia oblonga Mill. Ficus carica L., Olea europea L., Phoenix dactylifera L., Punica granatum L., Salvadora persica L., Vitis vinifera L. and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. mentioned in Holy Quran and Ahadith. Complete macro & microscopic detailed morphological features of these species were discussed. Results were systematically arranged by alphabetic order of botanical names followed by English name, Arabic name, family, habit and habitat, part used, medicinal uses and references cited from Holy Quran and, Ahadith. The main aim of this study is to document the knowledge of ethnobotanical importance of fruits in the light of Islam. A table comprising, distribution in world, flowering period and chemical constituents, is given.

Feeding visit time of fruit-eating birds in Cerrado plants: revisiting the predation risk model

Fruiting plants that attract frequent visits by fruit-eating birds tend to be predictable patches for a predator. Consequently, the risk of a predator attack increases the longer a bird stays on a fruiting plant. We tested whether large and cryptic species of fruit-eating birds spend more time per feeding visit than smaller and conspicuous ones in fruiting plants of the Brazilian Cerrado. Data were obtained from the literature for eight fruiting plant species and from field observations of birds feeding on fruits of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium (Rutaceae). We searched for a positive linear relationship between the mean visit time and the total length of the species, considering bird color as a covariate. Feeding visits of the large and cryptic bird species lasted longer than feeding visits of small and conspicuous species. Large birds may be safer from predators because large predators are less common. Cryptic birds may be difficult to be detected by predators and, consequently, may be less likely to be attacked by predators than conspicuous birds. Thus, our results provide support to the hypothesis that vulnerable bird species spend less time foraging in fruiting plants.

Geographic patterns in fruit colour diversity: do leaves constrain the colour of fleshy fruits?

We tested for geographic patterns in fruit colour diversity. Fruit colours are thought to promote detection by seed dispersers. Because seed dispersers differ in their spectral sensitivities, we predicted that fruit colour diversity would be higher in regions with higher seed disperser diversity (i.e. the tropics). We collected reflectance data on 232 fruiting plant species and their natural backgrounds in seven localities in Europe, North and South America, and analysed fruit colour diversity according to the visual system of birds-the primary consumer types of these fruits. We found no evidence that fruit colours are either more conspicuous or more diverse in tropical areas characterised by higher seed disperser diversity. Instead, fruit colour diversity was lowest in central Brazil, suggesting that fruit colours may be more diverse in temperate regions. Although we found little evidence for geographic variation in fruit hues, the spectral properties of fruits were positively associated with the spectral properties of backgrounds. This result implies that fruit colours may be influenced by selection on the reflectance properties of leaves, thus constraining the evolution of fruit colour. Overall, the results suggest that fruit colours in the tropics are neither more diverse nor more conspicuous than temperate fruits, and that fruit colours may be influenced by correlated selection on leaf reflectance properties.

Breeding phenology and nesting habitat characterisation of the San Andres Vireo ( Vireo caribaeus)

We describe the breeding phenology and nesting habitat characteristics of San Andres Vireo Vireo caribaeus for the breeding season of 2004. Nest monitoring of colour marked individuals took place in three major vegetation types (dry scrubland, mangrove forest and dense forest) on San Andres Island, Colombia. In all of them, vegetation structure variables were measured and compared using principal components analysis. A courting song was recorded and its sonograms are presented here. Nineteen nests were monitored between January and June, of which 80% were found in dry scrubland, 10% in mangrove forest and 10% in dense forest. Nesting stages were found to be similar in length to those known for other vireos. Nest construction took 6 ± 0.87 days (mean ± SD), clutch size was 2 ± 1 eggs (mean ± SD), incubation took 17 ± 2.47 days (mean ± SD), and nestling period was 9 ± 1.57 days (mean ± SD). Fourteen nestlings fledged from successful nests (53%) and post fledging care was sustained for 28 ± 4.17 days (mean ± SD). Vireo nests were found in sheltered dry areas, characterized by a thick cover of dead leaves on the ground (≤ 60%) and a low canopy height (mean = 5 m) but providing 60% cover over the nest. Nest trees were healthy plants and 75% of the nests hung from east-facing forked branches at a height of 0.73–2.0 m. Nesting trees were typically surrounded by 3-5 species of fleshy fruit plants fed to chicks. Conservation of the vireo would benefit from maintenance of traditional land use practices in dry scrubland on the island and protection or special management of some areas of this habitat should be considered.

Fruit of plant diversity at home-garden of Jabon Mekar village, subdistrict of Parung, Bogor regency

Jabon Mekar village is well-known as the central of fruit supplayer at subdistrict of Parung. Many kinds of fruit were planted and developed in this area. Durian ‘lai-mas’ or durian jabon’s cultivar is the superior product of fruit. However it was estimated as a buffer zone of Jakarta and subject of the urban development. Due to the increasing number of the urbant development in Jakarta, it is concerned that this will have an effect to the function of home-garden.The aim of the research is to study the potential riches and fruit plant diversity at homegarden of community in the village of Jabon Mekar. The methods used for vegetation analysis were the quadratic method. The result of the research found 57 species of fruit plants from 41 genus, 23 families and 30 local cultivars. From all fruit of plants, there are 7 species as the main compositer of the community at home-garden i.e. Musa sp., Durio zibethinus, Nephelium lappaceum, Cocos nucifera, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Sandoricum koetjape, Carica papaya. It was found also that the diversity of plant species at home-garden was at the high level. While all fruit of plant species found a tendency SDR value under 50%, means that none of the plant species dominant toward other fruit of plants species.© 2007 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: Jabon Mekar, home-garden, fruit plant, riches, diversity

Abundance and dispersion of some chimpanzee‐dispersed fruiting plants at Mahale, Tanzania

AbstractAbundance and dispersion of five fruiting plant species the seeds of which are commonly dispersed by chimpanzees were investigated at Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania from August 2000 to February 2001. All plant individuals encountered within twenty‐three 50 × 50 m plots were counted and allocated to demographic stages. Plots were allocated proportionally to the main vegetation types in the chimpanzee range. Density and the demographic stages of individuals within 50 m radii of 10 adult conspecifics for four of the five sample species were also investigated. Overall, densities of individuals varied greatly by species and growth stages within the chimpanzee ranging space. Dispersion of the five plant species tested, irrespective of growth stages, showed a clumped pattern. However, Saba comorensis was the most evenly dispersed, irrespective of growth stage. Densities of juveniles and adults generally declined away from adult conspecifics, except for Syzygium guineense. These results are discussed in view of chimpanzees as potential seed dispersers. The hyper‐dispersion of S. comorensis appears to mirror the profound intensive and extensive dispersal of its seeds by chimpanzees, which are the main eaters of this fruit in the study area.

Influences of Fruit Diversity and Abundance on Bird Use of Two Shaded Coffee Plantations

ABSTRACTWe studied avian foraging at two shaded coffee plantations in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Both coffee plantations contained patches of second‐growth forest but differed in shade types; one was a rustic plantation with a species‐diverse shade including many fruiting plant species and the other was a commercial polyculture shaded almost solely by Inga vera. We quantified foraging activity of five fruit‐eating bird species (Euphonia musica, Loxigillaportoricensis, Nesospingusspeculifirus, Spinetalisportoricensis, and Vireo altiloquous) and monthly fruit abundance in the coffee plantation and adjacent second‐growth forest habitats at each site. Fruits comprised more than 50 percent of the diets for four of five focal bird species. We found a significant difference in the number of foraging records for focal bird species between coffee and forest habitats in the commercial polyculture but found few differences between these habitats in the rustic coffee farm. Overall, foraging activity was positively correlated with the abundance of fruits across study sites. Bird foraging was concentrated on plant species in the genera Cecropia, Miconia, Schefflera, Phoradendron, and Guarea, which together accounted for over 50 percent of frugivory records. Plant species in such genera fruited over prolonged time periods and provided birds with a fairly constant fruit supply. Our findings underscore the importance of fruiting plant species in making coffee plantations suitable habitat for birds and suggest that native fruiting plants be incorporated in coffee farms for avian conservation.RESUMENEstudiamos el forrajeo de aves frugivoras en dos plantaciones de café de sombra en Ciales, Puerto Rico. Ambas plantaciones contenian parches de bosque de crecimiento secundario, pero se diferenciaban por el tipo de sombra: una era “rustica” con una gran diversidad de especies de sombra, incluyendo muchas especies de plantas frutales, y la otra era un “policultivo comercial” sombreada casi linicamente por Inga vera. En cada sitio, cuantificamos la actividad de forrajeo de cinco especies de aves frugivoras (Euphonia musica, Loxigilla portoricensis, Nesospingus speculiferus, Spindalis portoricensis, Vireo altiloquous), y la abundancia mensual de frutos en los cafetales y en los bosques adyacentes. Las frutas comprendieron más del 50 por ciento de la dieta de cuatro de las cinco especies de aves en estudio. Encontramos diferencias significativas en el nümero de registros de forrajeo de especies de aves entre los habitats de café y bosque en el policultivo comercial, pero encontramos pocas diferencias entre estos habitats en la granja de café rüstico. En general, la actividad de forrajeo estuvo positivamente correlacionada con la abundancia de frutos a través de los sitios de estudio. El forrajeo de las aves estuvo centrado en especies de plantas de los géneros Cecropia, Guarea, Schefflera, y Phoradendron, que juntas abarcaron por encima del 50 por ciento de los registros de frugivoria. Especies de plantas en estos géneros fructificaron por un penodo de tiempo más prolongado y surtieron constantemente a las aves de frutas. Nuestros hallazgos resaltan la importancia de las especies de plantas frutales en convertir las plantaciones de café en hábitats adecuados para las aves, y sugiere que las plantas frutales nativas deberian ser incorporadas en las granjas de café para la conservación de las aves.

Dietary Variability of Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Data on intraspecific dietary variability has important implications for understanding flexibility in foraging behavior, habitat utilization, population dynamics, and social behavior and may also assist in conservation efforts. We compared food availability and diet of a group of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) at a high altitude site and 2 groups at a low altitude site in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, from September 2001 to August 2002. Plant species diversity was greater at the low altitude site than at the high altitude site. The two groups at the low elevation consumed more plant species (140 species vs. 62 species), and a greater number of fruit species per mo (7 vs. 3 species) and per yr (36 vs. 11 species) than the high altitude group did. Furthermore, each group shared <51% of important fibrous food items in their diet with the 2 other groups. There is no significant difference in the proportion of days fruit remains were found in the dung among groups. Finally, according to Ivlev’s electivity index, all groups positively selected the majority of food items in their diets. We attribute a large proportion of dietary variation between locations to differences in fruit availability and plant species composition between sites. Differences between groups at the low altitude site may be due to variation in food profitability—more profitable foods available to choose in the same area—within their overlapping home range, or

Factors affecting seed rain beneath fleshy-fruited plants

We investigated factors affecting seed rain beneath nine fleshy-fruited fruiting plant species growing in a 1-ha plot of planted Pinus thunbergii in central Japan. We tested whether the numbers of seeds and seed species dropped by birds beneath fruiting plants were correlated with the number of fruits removed by birds from the plants. Most of fruiting plant species with high fruit removal had significantly high seed rain. Both the numbers of seeds and seed species dropped were significantly, positively correlated with the number of fruits removed across for all fruiting plant species. Therefore, fruit removal predicted the difference among heterospecific fruiting plants in seed rain. We also tested whether the number of fruits removed from fruiting plants by birds was related with fruit crop size, fruit size, and height of the plants, and the numbers of fruits and fruit species of neighboring plants near the plants. Most of fruiting plant species with high fruit crop size had significantly high fruit removal. The number of fruits removed was significantly, positively correlated with both the fruit crop size and the number of neighboring fruits across the nine fruiting plant species. However, the effect of the neighboring fruit density on fruit removal was lower remarkably than that of fruit crop size. Therefore, fruit crop size best predicted the differences among heterospecific fruiting plants in fruit removal. We suggest that fruiting plant species with high fruit crop size and high fruit removal contribute to intensive seed rain beneath them.

Influences of Fruit Diversity and Abundance on Bird Use of Two Shaded Coffee Plantations1

We studied avian foraging at two shaded coffee plantations in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Both coffee plantations contained patches of second-growth forest but differed in shade types; one was a rustic plantation with a species-diverse shade including many fruiting plant species and the other was a commercial polyculture shaded almost solely by Inga vera. We quantified foraging activity of five fruit-eating bird species (Euphonia musica, Loxigilla portoricensis, Nesospingus speculiferus, Spindalis portoricensis, and Vireo altiloquous) and monthly fruit abundance in the coffee plantation and adjacent second-growth forest habitats at each site. Fruits comprised more than 50 percent of the diets for four of five focal bird species. We found a significant difference in the number of foraging records for focal bird species between coffee and forest habitats in the commercial polyculture but found few differences between these habitats in the rustic coffee farm. Overall, foraging activity was positively correlated with the abundance of fruits across study sites. Bird foraging was concentrated on plant species in the genera Cecropia, Miconia, Schefflera, Phoradendron, and Guarea, which together accounted for over 50 percent of frugivory records. Plant species in such genera fruited over prolonged time periods and provided birds with a fairly constant fruit supply. Our findings underscore the importance of fruiting plant species in making coffee plantations suitable habitat for birds and suggest that native fruiting plants be incorporated in coffee farms for avian conservation.

The use of SSR markers in family Rosaceae

The identification of plant species and study of their genetic relatedness is an important object of plant genetics. The Rosaceae family contains a lot of economically important fruit, ornamental, and wild plant species. The microsatellite markers have been proven to be an efficient tool for description of the genetic relatedness among varieties and species. Their evolutionary conserved regions enable them to differentiate among various accessions. This article intends to show proceeded identification and characterization projects on Rosaceae species by using SSR markers. The article presents sources of already published primer sequences. The use of already published primers can highly reduce the cost and duration of this kind of researches.

Avian assemblages in native Acacia and alien Prosopis drainage line woodland in the Kalahari, South Africa

Plant and bird species richness and abundance in two patches of native Acacia karroo and two patches of alien Prosopis species drainage line woodland in the southern Kalahari, South Africa, were compared using 37 plot (100 m2) samples for the plants and 12 line transects (ca. 1 km long) for the birds. Vertical distribution of canopy cover differed among the four sites in all four strata. The densest Prosopis woodland had less herbaceous understorey cover, and more cover between 1 and 5 m above-ground than Acacia woodlands or the relatively openProsopis woodland. The tallest Acacia woodland differed from other sites in having 40% canopy above 5 m. The densities of all trees >50 mm basal diameter (mainly A. karroo and Prosopis, but including a few A. hebeclada and Ziziphus mucronata) did not differ among sites, but abundance of A. karroo andProsopis species differed greatly among sites. Mean plant species density per 100 m2 plot differed among sites, being greater in the Acacia woodlands than in Prosopis -dominated vegetation. The densest Prosopis woodland was the least diverse site botanically, and was also least similar to the tallest Acacia woodland, sharing only 11 plant species. The ratio of fleshy fruited plant species to all others encountered differed between woodland types being lower in Prosopis than in Acacia woodland. Individual A. karroo trees differed from size-matchedProsopis trees in being less multi-stemmed and having fewer branches in contact with the soil when mature. The numbers of species of sub-canopy plants and fleshy fruited plant species increased with the size of the trees, but tended to be lower for large Prosopis than for large A. karroo.Sorenson's similarity index for bird species assemblages forAcacia sites compared with both Prosopis sites was 0·61. All species that occurred in Prosopis, with the exception of Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans, were a subset of species that occurred in Acacia woodland. Bird species assemblages were least similar between the densest Acacia site and the most open Prosopis site. The Shannon indices for the Acacia and Prosopis communities showed some variation between patches and between counts. Indices for the Acacia sites were significantly higher than indices for the Prosopis sites, indicating that the bird communities in the native woodland sites are consistently more species-rich and more diverse. In terms of guilds, raptors were absent from Prosopis woodlands, in general frugivores were sparse in Prosopis woodlands, and insectivores were about half as abundant, but there were no large differences between nectarivores, mixed feeders (seeds and insects) and granivores in both types of woodland.

Triacontanol-supported micropropagation of woody plants.

The effectiveness of triacontanol in the micropropagation of two woody, economically important fruit plant species was investigated. Triacontanol was added to the routine multiplication and rooting media of apple (Malus domestica cv. JTE-E4) and sour cherry (Cerasus fruticosa cv. Probocskai) rootstocks at concentrations of 2, 5, 10 and 20 μg/l. It was found to increase the number of shoots and the fresh weight of apple in the multiplication phase and to enhance root number and chlorophyll content in the rooting phase. The addition of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to the media further improved the effect of triacontanol. A less pronounced effect could be seen in the multiplication phase of sour cherry, although there was an enhancement of shoot proliferation. In the rooting phase, however, the application of triacontanol caused a significant increase in the number of roots per plant, and this effect was further improved when triacontanol was combined with 0.5 mg indole-3-butyric acid/l.

Radionuclide transfer from soil to fruit

The available literature on the transfer of radionuclides from soil to fruit has been reviewed with the aim of identifying the main variables and processes affecting the behaviour of radionuclides in fruit plants. Where available, data for transfer of radionuclides from soil to other components of fruit plant have also been collected, to help in understanding the processes of translocation and storage in perennial plants. Soil-to-fruit transfer factors were derived from agricultural ecosystems, both from temperate and subtropical or tropical zones. Aggregated transfer factors have also been collected from natural or semi-natural ecosystems. The data concern numerous fruits and various radionuclides. Soil-to-fruit transfer is nuclide specific. The variability for a given radionuclide is first of all ascribable to the different properties of soils. Fruit plant species are very heterogeneous, varying from woody trees and shrubs to herbaceous plants. In temperate areas the soil-to-fruit transfer is higher in woody trees for caesium and in shrubs for strontium. Significant differences between the values obtained in temperate and subtropical and tropical regions do not necessarily imply that they are ascribable to climate. Transfer factors for caesium are higher in subtropical and tropical fruits, while those for strontium, as well as for plutonium and americium, in the same fruits, are lower; these results can be interpreted taking into account different soil characteristics.

Surveillance for Acute Pesticide-Related Illness During the Medfly Eradication Program--Florida, 1998

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) (Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann) is an exotic insect that can damage approximately 250 fruit and vegetable plant species and is a serious threat to domestic agriculture. During the spring and summer of 1998, pesticides were used by federal and state agriculture authorities to eradicate Medfly infestations that had been detected in portions of five Florida counties (Table 1). This report summarizes surveillance data, describes probable and possible cases of illness associated with the eradication effort, and provides recommendations for future Medfly-eradication programs.

134Cs and 85Sr in fruit plants following wet aerial deposition.

The knowledge of processes concerning the radiocontamination of fruit after a spike release can improve the understanding of exposure through ingestion of food and better assess the public dose. The fate of 134Cs and 85Sr in the above ground part of different species of fruit plants after wet deposition on leaves or on fruits was compared. Grapevines, apple trees, and pear trees grown under field conditions were contaminated with 134Cs and 85Sr either via leaves or via fruits before ripening. Spiked and non-spiked fruits and leaves were picked 50 d later, at harvest time, and their 134Cs and 85Sr contents were measured by gamma spectrometry. The residual fraction in leaves was on average 7% of the initially applied 134Cs and 8% of 85Sr, while that in fruits was 60% of 134Cs and 28% of 85Sr. Rinsing of fruits before consumption causes a loss of 24% for 134Cs and 36% for 85Sr present in fruit at harvest. Leaf-to-fruit transfer factors are considerably higher for 134Cs, 4% of the applied activity, than for 85Sr, 0.04%. Leaf-to-leaf are also higher on average for 134Cs than for 85Sr. Transfer also occurs from spiked fruits to leaves; its extent is affected more by the kind of plant than by the radionuclide. 134Cs and 85Sr are transferred to fruits and leaves of non-contaminated branches to a lesser extent than within the contaminated branches.

The effects of ecological rehabilitation on vegetation recruitment: some observations from the Wet Tropics of North Queensland

The nature of vegetation colonisation in four small rehabilitations and adjacent, protected control sites in tropical north Queensland were studied. Seven-year-old rehabilitation plots contiguous with forest had recruited up to seventy-two plant species across all growth forms and successional phases. Recruitment in 5-year-old plots was less abundant and diverse. Control sites by comparison were dominated by disclimax grasses and diversity of recruitment was reduced to only nineteen species at the upland control site. The effect of isolation on reducing abundance and diversity were demonstrated at one site located over 500 m from intact forest. Soil seed bank analysis was undertaken to examine any cumulative effect. Samples contained large numbers of weeds and grasses and only two native trees were recorded. The majority of species recorded in the plots were fleshy fruited zoochorous taxa, typical of plants in the early and intermediate stages of successional development, although a number of late successional species were also recorded. Fruit size and type suggests birds are responsible for most of the effective dispersal. The ability of ecologically rehabilitated areas to recruit and sustain new life forms is a true measure of their contribution to biodiversity conservation. In the tropics, the process of plant colonisation may be accelerated by establishing combinations of fleshy fruited native plant species from different stages of a normal forest succession, which attract seed dispersing birds and mammals.

Bat communities and deforestation in French Guiana

The impact of deforestation on the composition and dynamics of bat communities received close attention during a 15-year survey of the bats of French Guiana. Overall, deforestation lowers species richness: 48 of the 75 bat species from primary forest, mainly mature-forest phyllostomids, were not found in large areas that had been deforested for a long time. The 27 "rare" species, each represented by fewer than 6 of 8031 captures, had been apparently virtually eliminated from deforested areas. These altered habitats had been repopulated by a few opportunistic frugivorous phyllostomid species and by species belonging to the widespread insectivorous families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. Habitats altered by humans harbor over four times as many individual bats as primary rain forest. This rise in both frugivorous and insectivorous bat populations in areas of degraded vegetation appears linked to the abundance of bat-dispersed pioneer' fruiting plant species available to phyllostomids and the multiplication of roosting sites for vespertilionids and molossids in human habitats. The species richness of local bat communities is positively influenced by the presence of forest corridors or the immediate proximity of a forest block.