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Post-dispersal seed removal by rodents in Ranomafana rain forest, Madagascar
| Content Provider | Scilit |
|---|---|
| Author | Razafindratsima, Onja H. |
| Copyright Year | 2017 |
| Description | : Seed-consuming rodents are increasingly recognized for their roles in the maintenance of tree species diversity, by acting on crucial post seed-dispersal processes. Yet, studies examining the extent to which rodents may act as secondary seed dispersers and/or predators in Madagascar's forests are limited. Thread-marking seed experiments were run to address this, using the seeds of two native large-seeded, frugivore-dispersed tree species (Abrahamia thouvenotii and Cryptocarya crassifolia), in disturbed and less-disturbed habitats in the rain forests of Ranomafana National Park, during the dry season. Data show that post-dispersal handling of seeds by rodents (predation and removal) was significantly lower in disturbed than in less-disturbed habitats (1.31–3.78 times lower; n = 2200). Also, seeds were more likely to be predated or left on the forest ground after removal than being larder- or scatter-hoarded: 27–78% of the removed seeds were found on the ground, <12% found in burrows and there was no evidence of scatter-hoarding (n = 132). Based on pictures from camera traps, the native rodent species, Nesomys rufus, was potentially responsible for seed predation and/or removal in the less-disturbed habitat; but no indication of the rodent species active in the disturbed habitat was obtained. The lack of scatter-hoarding suggests a limited role of rodents in secondary seed dispersal in this system. These findings form a preliminary account of the potential roles of rodents in post seed-dispersal processes in Madagascar's forests, but this warrants further study. |
| Related Links | https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/9A1C110046AC3A0F7974674EB2FAF663/S0266467417000104a.pdf/div-class-title-post-dispersal-seed-removal-by-rodents-in-ranomafana-rain-forest-madagascar-div.pdf |
| Ending Page | 236 |
| Page Count | 5 |
| Starting Page | 232 |
| ISSN | 02664674 |
| e-ISSN | 14697831 |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0266467417000104 |
| Journal | Journal of Tropical Ecology |
| Issue Number | 3 |
| Volume Number | 33 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
| Publisher Date | 2017-05-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Journal of Tropical Ecology Biodiversity Conservation Abrahamia Thouvenotii Cryptocarya Crassifolia Forest Regeneration Nesomys Rufus dispersal Processes Secondary Seed Dispersal Seed Predation Tropical Forest |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
| Subject | Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
