Limited directed seed dispersal in the canopy as one of the determinants of the low hemi-epiphytic figs' recruitments in Bornean rainforests

摘要: Ficus species are keystone plants in tropical rainforests, and hemi-epiphytic figs play a notably important role forest ecosystems. Because have strict germination requirements, establishment stages regulate their populations. Despite the ecological importance of seed dispersal systems by fig-eating animals under natural conditions remain unknown because difficulty tracing destiny dispersed seeds canopy. Therefore, effectiveness (SDE) has never been evaluated for figs. We SDE using qualitative quantitative components three relatively large-sized (> 3 kg) arboreal volant Bornean rainforests that largely depend on fig fruits diets: binturongs Arctictis binturong, Mueller’s gibbons Hylobates muelleri, helmeted hornbills Rhinoplax vigil. The values was far highest among study animals. Meanwhile, successful is aleatory rare. Given deposition determines fate figs, defecatory habits binturongs, depositing feces specific microsites canopy, most reliable method, compared to scattering from air or upper showed directed occurs high uneven canopy rainforests. This type limited animal species, therefore it may become one main factors regulating low-success recruitment