Undamaged Seeds Research Articles

Effect of Mango Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Damage on Mango Seed Viability in Tanzania

Studies were conducted at the horticulture unit of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, to assess the incidence and effect of mango weevil, Cryptorhynchus mangiferae (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), infestation on mango, Mangifera indica L., seed viability. Three polyembryo mango cultivars (‘Sindano nyeusi’, ‘Sindano nyeupe’, and ‘Dodo’) as well as three monoembryo mango cultivars (‘Ex-horticulture’, ‘Tango’, and ‘Bongwa’) were collected and examined for the presence of C. mangiferae. The effect of seed damage on viability was assessed for both naturally and artificially damaged seeds. However, for artificially damaged seeds, the viability was assessed by cutting away 0, 25, 50, or 75% of the cotyledon before planting. In this experiment, only monoembryo mango cultivars were used. All the examined cultivars were infested by C. mangiferae, although at varying levels. Polyembryo mango cultivars were relatively more infested than monoembryo cultivars. Bongwa and Tango were least infested, whereas Sindano nyeusi recorded the highest C. mangiferae incidence. Germination rates of damaged seeds of polyembryonic cultivars differed significantly from the uninfested control, except for Sindano nyeusi. There were no significant differences in germination percentage among the three monoembryo cultivars, and all the cultivars differed significantly from the uninfested control. The germination rates of seeds with 25% of their cotyledons removed did not differ significantly from the undamaged seeds, indicating that monoembryo cultivar seeds can withstand up to 25% damage and germinate successfully.

Effect of Mango Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Damage on Mango Seed Viability in Tanzania

Studies were conducted at the horticulture unit of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, to assess the incidence and effect of mango weevil, Cryptorhynchus mangiferae (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), infestation on mango, Mangifera indica L., seed viability. Three polyembryo mango cultivars ('Sindano nyeusi', 'Sindano nyeupe', and 'Dodo') as well as three monoembryo mango cultivars ('Ex-horticulture', 'Tango', and 'Bongwa') were collected and examined for the presence of C. mangiferae. The effect of seed damage on viability was assessed for both naturally and artificially damaged seeds. However, for artificially damaged seeds, the viability was assessed by cutting away 0, 25, 50, or 75% of the cotyledon before planting. In this experiment, only monoembryo mango cultivars were used. All the examined cultivars were infested by C. mangiferae, although at varying levels. Polyembryo mango cultivars were relatively more infested than monoembryo cultivars. Bongwa and Tango were least infested, whereas Sindano nyeusi recorded the highest C. mangiferae incidence. Germination rates of damaged seeds of polyembryonic cultivars differed significantly from the uninfested control, except for Sindano nyeusi. There were no significant differences in germination percentage among the three monoembryo cultivars, and all the cultivars differed significantly from the uninfested control. The germination rates of seeds with 25% of their cotyledons removed did not differ significantly from the undamaged seeds, indicating that monoembryo cultivar seeds can withstand up to 25% damage and germinate successfully.

Survival and reproduction of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on flora associated with native habitats in Kansas

Capture of Rhyzopertha dominica in pheromone-baited traps located many kilometers away from grain storage suggests that this species may be exploiting non-grain food sources. To investigate the potential for survival of this species on alternative hosts in the absence of grain, we conducted no-choice feeding assays with twigs and seeds of trees, and seeds of grasses, forbs, and shrubs, commonly encountered on Kansas prairie landscapes where R. dominica has been captured. In addition, R. dominica development and progeny production were assessed on seeds that adults were able to survive on for at least two weeks. Adult survival was poor on grass and forb seeds, although 13.4% of individuals survived on Elymus canadensis, Canada wildrye, seeds after two weeks, compared with 80.3% on Triticum aestivum, wheat, and 0.0% survival in the absence of food. Beetles readily tunneled into twigs from a wide range of tree species, but survival was generally low. A few individuals survived up to four weeks on Gleditsia triacanthos, honey locust. In contrast, bioassays showed that R. dominica could survive and reproduce on damaged seeds (acorns) of six species of oak, but not on undamaged seeds. For example, survival was 95.8% on damaged Quercus muehlenbergii, chinquapin oak. A survey of acorns at the original field collection site showed that the majority of the acorns on the ground had been cracked or bored into by insects and small mammals. Furthermore, we recovered three R. dominica adults from acorns collected in the field and held in sealed containers in the laboratory. These findings suggest that R. dominica populations in Kansas can persist on wild acorns when grain is not available.

Evaluation of the efficacy of protectants against cowpea bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)) on cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

A laboratory experiment of a completely randomised design and replicated four times evaluated the effectiveness to control the bruchid, <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> in cowpea by the synthetic insecticide Actellic dust, and by the natural protectants ash, coconut oil, powdered cloves and black pepper. The data collected included the number of damaged and undamaged seeds, weight of damaged and undamaged seeds and the number of live and dead bruchids. Seeds treated with Actellic dust and black pepper powder had significantly low percentages of damaged seeds. Black pepper powder and coconut oil showed good potential in protecting cowpea against bruchid damage.

RECOVERY AND GERMINABILITY OF NATIVE SEED FED TO CATTLE

Using livestock as seed dispersal agents may be an effective method for increasing species diversity on degraded and previously seeded rangelands. We quantified seed passage and recovery rates, and post-passage germinability of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides [Raf.] Swezey), and gooseberry globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia [H. & A.] Rydb.) by feeding Holstein heifers seeds of each species at 3 levels (15,000; 30,000; and 60,000 seeds) over a period of 3 weeks. One-kg fecal samples were collected 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after seed ingestion. Undamaged seeds were extracted from the samples and tested for germinability. Globemallow had the highest percentage of recovered, undamaged seed, followed by squirreltail and sagebrush. Globemallow and sagebrush seed passage was highest on Day 1, after which seed numbers dropped sharply. Squirreltail passage and recovery were more consistent through time, with higher seed recovery at lower seed feeding levels. Post-passage germinability was highest for squirreltail and globemallow on Day 1. Sagebrush germination was negligible. Differences in physical seed properties (size, shape, and seed coat) likely influenced interspecies variation in passage, recovery, and germinability. Globemallow and squirreltail seeds may be suited for livestock dispersal, but sagebrush seeds are not.

Lantana camara and the fruit- and seed-damaging fly, Ophiomyia lantanae (Agromyzidae): Seed predator, recruitment promoter or dispersal disrupter?

Abstract The seed damaging fly, Ophiomyia lantanae is a widespread agent that infests the fruits and seeds of Lantana camara . Its effectiveness in reducing seed dispersal or seedling recruitment has not been comprehensively tested. We determined the effects of O. lantanae damage on fruit removal rates of L. camara in a field study. We also investigated recruitment responses (seed germination in growth cabinets and seedling emergence in pot trials) of two common L. camara biotypes, pink and pink-edged red (PER) to O. lantanae damage. We found that fewer damaged fruits were removed than undamaged fruits, suggesting that frugivores select against damaged fruit. In all recruitment experiments, the responses to damage were biotype dependent. In germination experiments, these differential responses were primarily due to significantly reduced germination of damaged PER seeds. Seedling emergence from pots of the PER biotype was also lower in damaged seeds (27.5%) than undamaged seeds (56.1%). In contrast, emergence increased with seed damage in the pink biotype, from 28.2 to 41.1%. O. lantanae damage significantly reduced seed mass only in the smaller seeded PER biotype. In the larger seeded pink biotype, it may have promoted seedling emergence by interfering with dormancy mechanisms. We also examined in situ seed banks at L. camara populations prior to peak seed production. Mean viable seed densities ranged from 78.6 to 402.8 seeds m −2 . Of these, non-dormant seeds comprised 24.6 to 98.2 seeds m −2 , suggesting that recruitment is unlikely to be seed limited. We conclude that while O. lantanae influences recruitment and dispersal processes, the magnitude of the responses measured are unlikely to greatly influence plant densities in south-east Queensland infestations.

Effect of native and alien vertebrate frugivores on seed viability and germination patterns of Rubia fruticosa (Rubiaceae) in the eastern Canary Islands

Summary This study shows the first results obtained concerning the relative importance and effect on the seeds of a particular plant species, Rubia fruticosa Ait. (Rubiaceae), of passage through the digestive tube of the three main groups of vertebrate seed dispersers: native reptiles and birds, and alien mammals. Native birds and reptiles dispersed a high proportion of undamaged seeds of R. fruticosa. In contrast, seeds defecated by the two alien mammals showed significantly greater proportions of damaged seeds. Seed viability was much higher for reptiles and birds than for mammals, which was consistent with germination results. Ingested seeds had a significantly thinner coat than uningested control seeds. Seeds that had passed through native dispersers had a significantly thicker coat than those passed through one of the alien mammals (the squirrel). Considering both quantitative and qualitative components of seed dispersal, we conclude that native reptiles and birds are the most important seed dispersers in this multidisperser system.

Tolerance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) lines to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood is an important parasite of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Four chickpea genotypes were evaluated for tolerance to M. javanica in naturally infested fields at three locations. Each genotype was evaluated for number of galls, gall size, root area covered with galls and number of egg masses produced. All the cultivars were susceptible or highly susceptible. Seed yield, weight of 100 undamaged seeds, total dry matter and plant height were compared with checks. Chickpea cultivar Annigeri and a local check were used as nematode susceptible checks in all locations. The four promising nematode tolerant genotypes produced significantly greater yield and total dry matter than the checks in fields naturally infested with M. javanica at three locations. These M. javanica tolerant lines represent new germplasm and they are available in the chickpea genebank at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) bearing the identification numbers ICC 8932, ICC 11152, ICCV 90043 and ICCC 42

Efectos de la Fragmentatión Sobre la Aborción y Depredación de Semillas en el Chaco Serrano

RESUMENLas interacciones entre plantas e insectos pueden ser afectadas por la fragmentacion de los hábitats. En este estudio, realizado en el Chaco Serrano de Argentina, investigamos los efectos de la fragmentación sobre la cantidad de semillas abortadas, depredadas y sanas de Acacia aroma y Cercidium praecox. Encontramos que los efectos de la fragmentaci6n fueron diferentes en cada especie. A medida que se redujo el área del fragmento, aumentó el número de semillas abortadas en A. aroma, mientras que la depredación pre‐dispersión disminuyó y la cantidad de semillas sanas aumento en C. praecox. El aumento de semillas abortadas en los fragmentos pequeños no produjo un número menor de semillas sanas disponibles para la dispersión. En las dos especies, los niveles máximos de depredacion por parte de brúquidos fueron cercanos al 35 por ciento, mientras que la aborción de semillas no superó el 7 por ciento. Debido a los altos niveles de daño y la especificidad de los brúquidos, los cambios producidos por la fragmentacióon pueden ser muy importantes para las poblaciones de estas dos especies. Los efectos de la fragmentación sobre la polinización y la depredación pre‐dispersión de semillas de estas fabáceas pueden generar una mayor disponibilidad de semillas para su posterior dispersión en ambientes fragmentados.ABSTRACTHabitat fragmentation can have consequences on plant reproduction through several interactions with insects. We studied the effects of habitat fragmentation in die proportion of aborted, predated and undamaged seeds of Acacia aroma and Cercidium praecox. We performed this study in the Chaco Serrano of Argentina. We found that fragmentation effects differed between species. In small patches, the number of aborted seeds of A. aroma increased and the number of pre–dispersal predated seeds and undamaged seeds of C. praecox decreased and increased, respectively. However, higher numbers of aborted seeds in small patches did not lead to fewer available seeds for dispersion. For these species, seed predation by bruchids was about 35 percent and aborted seeds were around 7 percent. Because of the elevated levels of damage and the high specificity of bruchids, the changes caused by habitat fragmentation may be very important for the populations of these two species. Habitat fragmentation effects on pollination and pre–dispersal seed predation of these legumes may determine higher availability of seeds for dispersion in fragmented habitats.

Efectos de la Fragmentación Sobre la Aborción y Depredación de Semillas en el Chaco Serrano1

Habitat fragmentation can have consequences on plant reproduction through several interactions with insects. We studied the effects of habitat fragmentation in the proportion of aborted, predated and undamaged seeds of Acacia aroma and Cercidium praecox. We performed this study in the Chaco Serrano of Argentina. We found that fragmentation effects differed between species. In small patches, the number of aborted seeds of A. aroma increased and the number of pre-dispersal predated seeds and undamaged seeds of C. praecox decreased and increased, respectively. However, higher numbers of aborted seeds in small patches did not lead to fewer available seeds for dispersion. For these species, seed predation by bruchids was about 35 percent and aborted seeds were around 7 percent. Because of the elevated levels of damage and the high specificity of bruchids, the changes caused by habitat fragmentation may be very important for the populations of these two species. Habitat fragmentation effects on pollination and pre-dispersal seed predation of these legumes may determine higher availability of seeds for dispersion in fragmented habitats.

POST-DISPERSAL CHANGES IN THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FAGUS CRENATA SEEDS

The spatial distribution of tree seeds is influenced by the behavior of seed dispersers and seed-killing agents. In this study we evaluated the relative importance of multiple seed-killing agents on changes in the spatial pattern of Fagus crenata seeds. The dispersal of seeds and causes of seed death following dispersal were investigated on a 0.6- ha study plot in northern Japan. Seeds were collected using seed traps (n = 110) in the autumn of 1995, as well as directly from the AO layer of the soil, including leaf litter, intermediate, and humus layers (n = 110), in the spring of 1996. A total of 44075 seeds were disseminated into the seed traps, including 17 964 mature seeds; 15% of these were viable the following spring, indicating a large decrease in the abundance of viable seeds during the post-dispersal seed stage. Spatial association of undamaged seeds changed from a positive to independent association between the different dispersal stages, indicating rearrangement of the spatial pattern of seeds through time. During this period, numbers of living seeds generally decreased beneath nonspecific adults compared to those located away from the adults. This change resulted from the spatially different behavior of several biotic and abiotic killing agents. Rodents and fungi attacked the seeds, depending on seed densities and presence of nonspecific adult crowns, respectively, but desiccation was independent of both seed density and nonspecific crowns. The multiple killing agents with different spatial behavior jointly influenced the distributions of recruits entering tree populations.

Shaken, Not Stirred - A Percussion Scarification Technique

Abstract A pneumatic paint shaker was used to break seed dormancy in 2 reclamation species: New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana Gray [Fabaceae]) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L. [Fabaceae]). This percussion treatment improves germination over hot water, sulfuric acid, or mechanical scarification methods because it acts directly on the strophiole—the natural site of water entry to the seed. Consequently, percussion scarification is more likely to produce undamaged seeds and healthy seedlings. This low-cost percussion system holds promise for successfully pre-treating seeds from a range of species of the ecologically important Papilionoideae subfamily of the Fabaceae family.

Effects of Dry Tropical Forest Fragmentation on the Reproductive Success and Genetic Structure of the Tree Samanea saman.

Tropical trees are particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation because of their low densities, self-incompatibilty system, and high rates of outbreeding. Forest fragmentation is likely to decrease gene flow, increase endogamy, and eventually produce a high differentiation among remnant populations. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of forest fragmentation on the reproductive success, progeny vigor, and genetic variation of the tropical dry-forest tree Samanea saman. We conducted our study in the dry forest of Costa Rica and compared two tree conditions to evaluate forest fragmentation: (1) isolated, individual trees more than 500 m from the nearest conspecific and surrounded by agricultural fields, pastures, or small remnant forest patches and (2) trees in continuous populations of 10 or more individuals per hectare and surrounded by undisturbed forest. We compared the probability of natural pollination, seed production, genetic variation, and progeny vigor of trees in isolation and in continuous populations. The probability of flowers receiving more than 23 pollen tubes at the base of styles (the flowers more likely to produce a mature fruit) was significantly greater for trees in continuous populations (2.1%) than for trees in isolation (0.4%). However, flowers from the two tree conditions received similar pollen loads on their stigmas. Fruits of trees from continuous populations produced similar numbers of seeds as isolated trees did and had a similar probability of seed abortion. The probability of seed predation by bruchid beetles was significantly greater in continuous populations (30%) than in isolated trees (20%). The number of undamaged seeds ( potentially viable) was similar for both tree conditions. A genetic analysis of progeny showed that levels of genetic diversity in trees in isolation and in continuous populations were comparable. The effective self-fertilization rate and inbreeding coefficient of the progeny were slightly higher for isolated trees than for trees in continuous populations. In addition, there was more genetic similarity in the progeny of isolated trees, within and between fruits. Seeds produced by different fruits within a tree were more likely to be related in an isolated tree than in a tree from continuous populations. Seeds produced by trees from continuous populations were more likely to germinate and to produce greater leaf area and biomass as seedlings than progeny from isolated trees. We concluded that the fragmentation of tropical dry forests affects the genetic variation and vigor of S. saman progeny. Isolated trees showed high reproductive capacity, however, in spite of their habitat condition.

Succession and Regeneration Patterns of East African Mountain Forests. A Review

Regeneration and succession processes in montane forests of Kenya and parts of Ethiopia were investigated. The slowly growing camphor tree, Ocotea usambarensis, regenerates mainly by suckers from old root systems. Undamaged seeds were very rarely seen, and, apparently are viable only for a few days. After natural breakdown of an old tree, the gap is filled by fast growing species, mainly Macaranga kilimandscharica and Neoboutonia macrocalyx, in the shade of which the young Ocotea suckers can establish. After the death of the secondary species, whose germination requires full sunlight and is inhibited in the shade, the Ocotea forest recovers. Large scale logging of Camphor trees predominantly destroys the regeneration of Ocotea and leads to secondary forest types, which regenerate in own cycles. The high number of big game was found to be without impact on the natural regeneration of Ocotea. The Cassipourea malosana dominated forest regenerates as a mosaic-climax without a single species becoming dominant. Cedar forests dominated by Juniperus procera regenerate most efficiently after fire. Without recurrent burning, the forests of the lower and middle part of the montane zone, regenerate to climax associations dominated by broad-leaved trees as Olea capensis ssp. hochstetteri, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata and Podocarpus latifolius. On higher altitudes Juniperus procera always remains dominant even if fire does not occur for a longer time period. The high population density especially of buffaloes seems to inhibit successful regeneration in many parts of the Juniperion, due to intensive browsing and in particular trampling. The African Bamboo, Sinarun- dinaria alpina, shows a distinct growth cycle and can grow for extremely long periods in the vegetative state before flowering, especially so at the borders of its area. After flowering and dying of the bamboo, in most areas a dense Sambucus africana shrub is formed into which bamboo is invading from old rhizomes again. In Ethiopia, regeneration occurs directly, without an interspersed Sambucus stage. The uniform age of the Hagenia stands suggests that regeneration in these forests occurs suddenly after a disturbing event. Germination tests yielded, that Hagenia seeds are not germinating unless the competing undergrowth is removed. As fire is the only natural factor able to clear the grass layer of larger areas, it is assumed, that the reproduction of the subalpine forests depends on occasional burning.

Effects of fire, bruchid beetles and soil type on germination and seedling establishment of Acacia drepanolobium

The effects of fire, bruchid seed beetles and soil type on the germination and seedling establishment of Acacia drepanolobium were experimentally investigated. Seeds subjected to three seed treatments (bruchid damaged, bruchid-free burnt, and bruchid-free unburned) were germinated in three different soil types (black cotton, red sandy, and clay loam soils). Undamaged seeds had significantly higher germination (85.3%) than either beetle damaged (20.6%), or burnt seeds (3.4%). Soil type did not influence germination or seedling survival. Burnt seeds had an average germination of 2% in clay loams and 5.4% in red sandy soils, while beetle damaged seeds had an average germination of 15.6% in clay loams and 28.7% in black cotton soils. Treatment effects on seedling mortality or survival were not significant but seedlings from undamaged seeds had higher survival rates than those damaged by bruchid beetles.

Disponibilidade de frutos e a dieta de Lycalopex vetulus (Carnivora - Canidae) em um cerrado de Mato Grosso, Brasil

The fruiting phenology of 41 species known as potential food for mammals was monitored monthly during the period of 1985 and 1986, and compared with the frugivorous diet of the hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) in a cerrado area near Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The fruiting pattern was seasonal, with peaks of greater availability in the beginning of dry and wet seasons. Hancornia speciosa, Rauwolfia sp. and Solanum lycocarpum showed a long (nine to 12 months) fruiting pattern, while Guettarda viburnioides and Mouriri elliptica a short pattern (five to eight months). Seventy percent of the fruit species were eaten by the hoary fox. Despite the large number of fruit species consumed, a small percentage (26%) of these species reaches 10% of occurrence frequency in the fox scats. The consumption of fruits by the hoary fox was opportunistic, generally consistent with the seasonal fruiting pattern in the study area. H. speciosa and S. lycocarpum were considered the most important fruit species in the diet of the hoary fox, since they give sources of alternative food year round, including periods of low availability of other fruits, like the peak of dry season. Changes in the intensity of fruit used by the hoary fox, like the replacement of some species by others, seem to show states of satiation and interest for new atractive fruits. Apparently, accessibility, strong smell and energetic content are features of the fruits that determine primary preferences for some species. The role of the hoary fox as an important agent to disperse fruits in the cerrado may be suggested by the large number of fruit species eaten, and by the presence of undamaged seeds in the scats.

Effect of the salivary proteinase from the New Zealand wheat bug, Nysius huttoni, on various exotic and endemic plant seeds

The effect of Nysius huttoni White feeding on immature plant seeds was examined by caging the insect with the seed heads of the following plants: wireweed (Polygonum aviculare), twin cress (Coronopus didymus), yarrow (Achillea mille‐folium), fathen (Chenopodium album), and native wheat grass. The largest seeds (wheat grass and wireweed) were the most physically damaged with shrivelling and colour changes. The amount of N. huttoni proteinases in infested seeds varied widely from 48 enzyme units/g wireweed seed to 8075 enzyme units/g yarrow seed, but there appeared to be no relationship between proteinase content and the amount of physical damage to the seeds. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electro‐phoresis showed that high levels of proteinase in twin cress and yarrow seeds could hydrolyse protein subunits of a wide range of molecular weights. In contrast, incubation of undamaged twin cress and yarrow seeds with proteinase purified from N. Wtom‐damaged wheat grain, did not hydrolyse any protein. The purified enzyme only hydrolysed high molecular weight (HMW) protein subunits in wheat‐grass seeds and wheat grain (Triticum aestivum), and possibly protein macropolymers in giant Spaniard (Aciphylla scott‐thomsonii) and koromiko {Hebe salicifolia) seeds. These HMW proteins in wheat grass, giant Spaniard, and koromiko seeds may have similar structure to the HMW glutenin subunits of wheat grain. We conclude that when N. huttoni feeds on some seeds it can inject proteinases of a broader specificity range than the highly specific proteinase found in N. huttoni‐damagsd wheat, and we suggest that particularly the latter enzyme has a role in softening the outer layers of seeds to facilitate bug stylus penetration and maintain the flow of sap.

Seed handling by three prosimian primates in southeastern Madagascar: Implications for seed dispersal

In this paper, we studied three species of prosimian primate (Propithecus diadema edwardsi, Eulemur fulvus rufus, and Eulemur rubriventer) from June–July 1995 at the Ranomafana National Park to answer three questions: 1) how they handle and process seeds, 2) how the physical properties of seeds influence seed handling and seed fate, and 3) whether handling and processing patterns influence seed dispersal. Seeds from five plant species were collected from feces and examined for external damage (punctures and scrapes), weighed, measured, and checked daily for germination. P. D. edwardsi masticated seeds into two or more pieces while feeding. Seed fragments were either dropped under the parent tree or chewed and swallowed; seeds never emerged as recognizable units in feces. In contrast, both Eulemur species either dropped or swallowed seeds whole while feeding. E. rubriventer passed seeds that were longer, wider, and heavier than seeds passed by E. F. rufus. Although seeds emerged as separate units when passed by both Eulemur species, 65 Protorhus sp. Seeds were scraped and/or punctured prior to being swallowed. Based on physical property tests, Protorhus seeds were more susceptible to mastication than undamaged seeds from Eugenia sp., Cissus sp., and Chrysophyllum madagascariensis. H. madagascariensis seeds also were undamaged but had physical properties comparable to Protorhusand may avoid being masticated due to their small size (2–3 mm). All damaged seeds were moldy or rotten within 6 days, and only 15% of the undamaged seeds passed by E. rubriventer germinated. None of the seeds passed by E. F. rufus germinated. Eulemur species also rested in the same tree after feeding and defecated prior to a new feeding bout or before moving, so seeds were most likely to be dispersed under the parent tree. Consequently, we concluded that these primate species do not appear to serve as effective seed dispersers for these plant species at this time of year. Am. J. Primatol. 45:69–82, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effects of mammal and insect herbivory on population dynamics of a native Californian thistle, Cirsium occidentale.

We explored consequences of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in herbivory on the survival, growth, and reproduction of the Californian native dune thistle, Cirsium occidentale, in coastal and inland sites, for 2 years. We assessed the relative impacts of insect and mammalian herbivores and compared the relative importance of herbivory in coastal and inland habitats and among locations with different microclimates across a coastal dune. Effects of insect and mammalian herbivores were tested with a combination of insecticidal spray and cage exclusion treatments in a factorial experiment at the coastal site. Mammalian herbivores strongly affected the population dynamics of C. occidentale in both years, and their effects were augmented by fungal infection (1991), herbivory by stem-borers (1990) and, to a lesser extent, by insect seed predators in both years. Mammals caused most plant deaths, but the mammal species responsible differed among sites. Rabbit herbivory altered the vegetative growth of coastal thistles and significantly modified other key aspects of Cirsium demography, including growth rate and timing of reproduction. Small, uncaged plants grazed by rabbits took at least 1 year longer to mature than did caged plants. Larvae of Pyrausta subsequalis were the only insects that killed established plants. In 1990 and 1991, the numbers of insects damaging seed heads before dispersal were low, but were sufficient to cause receptacle and seed damage. The number of mature, undamaged seeds (and percent successful seed production) was reduced significantly only for heads infested by fungi near the ocean in 1991: the fungus occurred in 37% of heads and caused a 77% reduction in mature seeds.

Preparing Sagebrush Seed for Market: Effects of Debearder Processing

Debearders are machines originally developed to remove grain from bearded (awned) seed heads of small grains. They are now used in many types of seed cleaning, including preparing sagebrush seed for market. Some people have suggested that debearders may decrease sagebrush seed quality. We tested this hypothesis by using a debearder to process seeds of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis) and measuring subsequent seed quality. Seed stalks were cut from 2 Wyoming locations, stored in an unheated warehouse, and then processed with a debearder for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 min. Seed germination and seedling vigor were tested at 2-month intervals up to 16.5 months after processing. Temperature and relative humidity inside the debearder increased linearly from 14.0 to 22.4 degrees C and from 59.0 to 81.2 % during the 10-min. processing time. However, the moisture content of seed materials did not change during this period. The number of undamaged seeds per gram of material did not change with processing and was similar between collections. Stem length decreased with processing duration while percent of seed with pericarp removed increased. Germination percentage, time to 50 % germination (T50) and seedling vigor were similar among treatments in both collections. Germination percentage increased in the first 4.5 months after processing and then remained at that level up to 16.5 months. Germination rate decreased (T50 increased), but seedling vigor did not change with storage time. We recommend that seed dealers continue to use properly adjusted debearders to process sagebrush seed.