Comportamento de frugívoros na dispersão de sementes de Byrsonima sericea DC. (malpighiaceae) em um fragmento de mata-atlântica, Paraíba

Abstract

Seed dispersal is a necessary ecological function for the perpetuation of plant communities, and knowing the behaviors of frugivorous animals can reduce the gaps in consumption interactions. Our aim was to investigate the dispersal of Byrsonima sericea seeds by birds and mammals in a forest fragment. Our aim was to investigate the dispersal of Byrsonima sericea seeds by birds and mammals in a forest fragment. The study was conducted in the Guaribas Biological Reserve, in the municipality of Rio-Tinto, Paraíba, Brazil. The interactions were carried out through focal observations on pre-existing trails in the morning and afternoon. 142 plant-animal interactions were observed, involving 18 species of birds and one species of Sciuridae mammal. The most frequent bird families were Thraupidae, Fringilidae and Pipridae. Larger birds such as Turdus, Trogon curucui and Thraupidae, Tyrannidae and the mammal were considered possible dispersers of B. sericea seeds. The behavior of the birds varied between swallowing the fruit whole and macerating it, depending on their body size. Interactions took place predominantly in open tableland areas. Based on the interactions with various animal species, B. sericea can be considered one of the key species of the REBIO-Guaribas fragment.