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Post-dispersal seed removal by rodents in Ranomafana rain forest, Madagascar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2017

Onja H. Razafindratsima
Onja H. Razafindratsima*
Affiliation:
Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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Abstract:

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.

Keywords

Abrahamia thouvenotiiCryptocarya crassifoliaforest regenerationfrugivoresNesomys rufuspost-dispersal processessecondary seed dispersalseed predationtropical forest
Type
Short Communication
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , May 2017 , pp. 232 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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