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Tree density-dependence effects on seed dispersal of a large-seeded tropical tree

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2023

Fernanda Cristina Souza ,
Arleu Barbosa Viana-Junior ,
Pedro Uchoa Mittelman  and
Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo Open the ORCID record for Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo [Opens in a new window]
Fernanda Cristina Souza
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Arleu Barbosa Viana-Junior
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Evolução, Laboratório de Ecologia de Invertebrados, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Pará, Brazil
Pedro Uchoa Mittelman
Affiliation:
Wildlife Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, São João del Rei, Brazil Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo, Email: fazevedo@ufsj.edu.br
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Abstract

One of the biggest issues in plant ecology is determining the interaction outcome between seeds and scatter-hoarding rodents because the latter has a dual role as dispersers and predators of seeds. Density-dependence contexts involving resource abundance largely influence the outcome of this interaction. Here, we investigated how the variation in the density of a large-seeded tropical tree (Joannesia princeps Vell) affects its probability of seed removal, consumption, dispersal, and burial by a neotropical rodent (Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein). We tested whether the elevated resource availability in high tree density areas would cause scatter hoarder’s satiation by decreasing seed removal and consumption (predator satiation hypothesis) or increasing seed dispersal and burial (predator dispersal hypothesis). We tracked the fate of 461 seeds in 14 plots with distinct J. princeps abundances inside a large Atlantic Forest fragment. We used spool-and-line tracking and camera trappings to determine seed fate and identify interacting animals. Agouti was the only species removing J. princeps seeds. Tree density benefitted J. princeps by increasing seed dispersal through buried seed but not affecting seed removal and consumption. This result shows how density-dependent contexts, such as tree density, may alter seed fate in seed–rodent interactions supporting future studies aiming to reestablishing seed dispersal functions in Atlantic Forest fragments.

Keywords

Mutualismpredator dispersal hypothesisseed predationseed burialtropical forest
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 39 , 2024 , e17
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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