Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://repositorio.ufla.br/jspui/handle/1/30935
Title: Quantification of four different post-dispersal seed deposition patterns after dung beetle activity
Keywords: Biotic interactions
Ecological function
Seed deposition
Post-dispersal seed
Scarabaeinae
Secondary seed dispersal
Dung beetles
Issue Date: Nov-2017
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Citation: BRAGA, R. F. et al. Quantification of four different post-dispersal seed deposition patterns after dung beetle activity. Journal of Tropical Ecology, [S.l.], v. 33, n. 6, p. 407-410, Nov. 2017.
Abstract: Primary seed dispersal of many rain-forest seeds occurs through defecation by mammals. Dung beetles are attracted to the defecations and through their dung-processing behaviour these insects change the initial pattern of seed deposition. Final seed deposition patterns, i.e. where and how seeds are deposited after dung beetle activity has taken place, may strongly depend on seed size. In this study we addressed the following question: Do different sizes of seeds have different deposition patterns following dung beetle processing? We conducted a field experiment in lowland Amazonian rain forest in Brazil using 200-g dung-piles containing seed mimics of three sizes: 3.5, 8.6 and 15.5 mm long. Seed deposition condition after dung beetle activity was dependent on seed size. Small seeds were more often buried in beetle tunnels, while medium and large seeds more often remained on the soil surface, either clean or still covered by dung. A low proportion of seeds of all sizes remained on the soil surface covered by loose soil excavated by dung beetles. We speculate that the latter deposition pattern, though not very frequent, might be highly favourable for both seed survival and seedling establishment.
URI: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-tropical-ecology/article/quantification-of-four-different-postdispersal-seed-deposition-patterns-after-dung-beetle-activity/CBB2771B2F447B6D76FFCF487AC3CCFA
http://repositorio.ufla.br/jspui/handle/1/30935
Appears in Collections:DBI - Artigos publicados em periódicos

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.