Fruit availability, frugivore satiation and seed removal in 2 primate‐dispersed tree species

Abstract

During a mast-fruiting event we investigated spatial variability in fruit availability, consumption, and seed removal at two sympatric tree species, Manilkara bidentata and M. huberi (Sapotaceae) at Nouragues Natural Reserve, French Guiana. We addressed the question of how Manilkara density and fruits at the community level might be major causes of variability in feeding assemblages between tree species. We thus explored how the frugivore assemblages differed between forest patches with contrasting relative Manilkara density and fruiting context. During the daytime, Alouatta seniculus was more often observed in M. huberi crowns at Petit Plateau (PP) with the greatest density of Manilkara spp. and the lowest fruit diversity and availability, whereas Cebus apella and Saguinus midas were more often observed in M. bidentata crowns at both Grand Plateau (GP), with a lowest density of M. bidentata and overall greater fruit supply, and PP. Overall, nearly 53% and 15% of the M. bidentata seed crop at GP and PP, respectively, and about 47% of the M. huberi seed crop were removed, otherwise either spit out or defecated beneath trees, or dropped in fruits. Small-bodied primates concentrated fallen seeds beneath parent trees while large-bodied primate species removed and dispersed more seeds away from parents. However, among the latter, satiated A. seniculus wasted seeds under conspecific trees at PP. Variations in feeding assemblages, seed removal rates and fates possibly reflected interactions with extra-generic fruit species at the community level, according to feeding choice, habitat preferences and ranging patterns of primate species.

Frugivory and seed dispersal by tapirs: an insight on their ecological role

“…comm.). In a study in French Guiana, Ratiarison and Forget (2011) report that even though Alouatta seniculus (Linnaeus, 1766) and Ateles paniscus (Linnaeus, 1758) swallowed M. huberi seeds, their sedentary behavior causes the dispersal of seeds only over short distances. Cebus apella Linnaeus, 1758 and Saguinus midas Linnaeus, 1758 were often observed in Man.…”

Small mammal abundance and seed predation across boundaries in a restored‐grazed woodland interface

“…Seed dispersal of keystone trees, such as Prosopis species in dry woodlands, is carried out by a diversity of mammal species (Campos et al ). This process can be influenced by the presence and abundance of natural dispersers, as well as by the distinctive strategies of seed consumption and seed hoarding they display in response to the fluctuating availability of seeds (Vander Wall et al ; Zhibin Zhang ; Ratiarison & Forget ; Campos & Velez ).…”

Seed Dispersal of Threatened Tree Species by a Critically Endangered Primate in a Brazilian Hotspot

“…Ma- nilkara spp. are known to be potentially dispersed by at least 6 primate species, including 2 species of capuchins (S. apella and S. olivaceus) [Ratiarison and Forget, 2011]. Manilkara elata , M. longifolia and M. maxima are late-stage trees that have large and fleshy fruits and occur in well-preserved habitats (e.g.…”