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Dispersal and predation of Eschweilera ovata seeds in the Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia, Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2012

Fernanda de Souza Vilela ,
Kevin Michael Flesher  and
Mauro Ramalho
Fernanda de Souza Vilela
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Polinização – ECOPOL, Universidade Federal da Bahia-UFBA; Center for Biodiversity Studies, Plantações Michelin da Bahia, Ltda., Michelin Ecological Reserve, Rodovia Ituberá/Camamu, Km 05, Igrapiúna – BA, CEP 45443-000
Kevin Michael Flesher*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Polinização – ECOPOL, Universidade Federal da Bahia-UFBA; Center for Biodiversity Studies, Plantações Michelin da Bahia, Ltda., Michelin Ecological Reserve, Rodovia Ituberá/Camamu, Km 05, Igrapiúna – BA, CEP 45443-000
Mauro Ramalho
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Polinização – ECOPOL, Universidade Federal da Bahia-UFBA; Center for Biodiversity Studies, Plantações Michelin da Bahia, Ltda., Michelin Ecological Reserve, Rodovia Ituberá/Camamu, Km 05, Igrapiúna – BA, CEP 45443-000
*
1Corresponding author. Email: kevinmflesher@yahoo.com.br
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Extract

A majority of Neotropical rain-forest trees have fruits evolved for animal consumption suggesting that seed-dispersal mutualisms are fundamental interactions structuring these ecosystems (Howe 1986, Howe & Smallwood 1982, van Roosmalen 1985). However, whether frugivores act as seed dispersers or predators of particular plant species is unknown for most tropical trees. Trees of the family Lecythidaceae are widespread in Neotropical rain forests forming an important component of the plant community (Aparecida Lopes 2007, Mori 1990, Mori et al. 2001, Sabatier & Prevost 1990), yet studies of plant–animal interactions are few (Jorge & Peres 2005, Silvius & Fragoso 2003, Trivedi et al. 2004). Results suggest that Lecythidaceae trees with zoochoric fruits are principally dispersed by bats, birds, rodents and primates (Prance & Mori 1983), although we know little about animal interactions with Eschweilera seeds.

Keywords

Atlantic forestBahiaEschweilera ovataLecythidaceaeSciurus aestuansseed dispersalseed predation
Type
Short Communication
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , March 2012 , pp. 223 - 226
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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