Ingestion of Ficus enormis seeds by howler monkeys ( Alouatta fusca ) in Brazil: effects on seed germination

摘要: Figs (Ficus spp.) have been considered keystone resources for Neotropical frugivores. Such plant are characterized by playing important roles in sustaining frugivores through periods of general food scarcity (Terborgh 1986). Many birds and mammals consume figs disperse their seeds (e.g. Coates-Estrada & Estrada Howler monkeys (Alouatta spp., Cebidae) consumers (Milton 1980). Although it has accepted that allow the passage fig undamaged digestive tracts (Janzen 1979, but see Janzen 1981), few quantitative studies exist on effect dispersers upon germination (Coates-Estrada 1986, Midya Brahmachary 1991, Utzurrum Heideman 1991). Here I report brown howlers (Alouattafusca Geoffroy) success Ficus enormis (Mart. ex Miq.) Miq. This species is a strangler tree reaching heights approximately 15 m, producing globe syconia (12.70 ?1.02 mm long, 12.82 ?1.19 wide, N = 30) which turn when mature. Field observations were conducted Reserva de Santa Genebra, tropical upland semideciduous forest (Morellato 1991) Campinas, Sdo Paulo (220 49' S 470 07' W) between April June 1992. fruits at this site consumed mainly Alouattafusca, Cebus apella, Artibeus lituratus, Sciurus ingrami (Galetti 1992), toucan Ramphastos toco Muller (pers. obs.). Primate faecal samples collected from leaf litter, mostly below one single tree. Seeds used tests selected random faeces defecated group five howler monkeys. control trials also randomly chosen dropped to ground during primate feeding bouts crown. The sown