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Influence of faeces on seed removal from gibbon droppings in a dipterocarp forest in Central Borneo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2005

Kim R. McConkey
Affiliation:
Wildlife Research Group, Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK Current address: A. V. Ramarao Research Foundation, 7-102/54 Sai Enclave, Habshiguda, Hyderabad 500007, India. Email: kimm@sancharnet.in

Abstract

Many frugivorous animals disperse seeds in their faeces (Corlett 1998, van der Pijl 1982), which may enhance the ability of secondary seed dispersers and post-dispersal seed predators to locate seeds (Andresen 2001, Chapman 1989, Feer 1999, Janzen 1982). By destroying and moving seeds these animals can radically alter the primary seed shadows generated by frugivorous animals and, consequently, have the potential to influence plant recruitment (Alcántara et al. 2000, Crawley 1992). Nevertheless, the influence of faeces on seed removal in South-East Asian forests has not previously been investigated and our knowledge currently comes from studies in Neotropical forests (Andresen 2001, Chapman 1989, Feer 1999, Janzen 1982).

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press

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