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A case study of a plant-animal relationship: Cola lizae and lowland gorillas in the Lopé Reserve, Gabon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Caroline E. G. Tutin ,
Elizabeth A. Williamson ,
M. Elizabeth Rogers  and
Michel Fernandez
Caroline E. G. Tutin
Affiliation:
Centre International de Recherches Médicates de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon C.I.R.M.F. and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Scotland
Elizabeth A. Williamson
Affiliation:
Centre International de Recherches Médicates de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Scotland
M. Elizabeth Rogers
Affiliation:
Centre International de Recherches Médicates de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon Department of Zoology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Michel Fernandez
Affiliation:
Centre International de Recherches Médicates de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon C.I.R.M.F. and Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Scotland
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Abstract

The frails of Cola lizae, an endemic tree with a limited geographical distribution, have been a major food source for lowland gorillas in the Lopé Reserve during part of each year over a six-year period. Faecal analysis indicated that 11,000-18,000 Cola seeds km-2 were deposited by gorillas during the 4-month season in 1989. Gorillas are the only important dispersers of this species: other primates consume the succulent mesocarp, but do not swallow the large seed; elephants do not eat Cola fruits. Observations of Cola seeds in gorilla faeces showed a very high germination rate and, despite initial high mortality, 18% of seedlings still survived six months after deposition. Survival of seedlings was significantly better in faeces left at nest-sites than in other areas of the forest: 40% of seedlings were viable at nest-sites six months after deposition. This suggests that the open areas of forest, preferred by gorillas as nest-sites, are advantageous to the propagation of this species.

Keywords

ColafrugivoryGabonlowland gorillaGorilla ggorillaplant-animal interactionsseed dispersalseedling survival
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , May 1991 , pp. 181 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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