Carnivorous mammals as seed dispersers of Myrtus communis (Myrtaceae) in the Mediterranean shrublands

摘要: ABSTRACT The role of carnivorous mammals as seed dispersers Myrtus communis L. in the Mediterranean environment was studied. Seeds M. were found faeces red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) and carnivores from genus Martes, at four sites on Tyrrhenic coast Southern Italy period autumn-winter 1993–1995. All study are covered by shrublands with one dominant species. Content analysis scats showed that fruits constitute a relevant component diet these carnivores, although other food categories also well represented. Further investigations effect mammal digestion germinability not only moved seeds away mother plant but enhanced their germinability. This species known to be bird- ant-dispersed adaptive implications multi-vectorial dispersal process is discussed.