Seed dispersal by frugivorous bats on landslides in a montane rainforest in southern Ecuador
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Abstract
Phyllostomid bats are fundamental components of the neotropical mammalian diversity and they have the greatest dietary diversity in any mammalian family. Their tendency to occur in a widespread spectrum of different habitats and their capability to carry seeds long distances makes them essential for the regeneration of disturbed forest areas, like landslides. In this study the seed rain produced by bats and birds in forest slopes and landslides was investigated. A total of 232 faeces by birds and bats accounting a total of 3312 seeds of at least
13 plant families were collected in all seed traps on all sites. The number of bat dispersed seeds on each site was higher than the number of bird dispersed seeds (between 62,5 % to 90,6 % by bats). The chiropterochorous seed rain was composed of 27 different seed morphotypes. The ascertained distribution pattern of the faeces of bats and birds indicates that bats are crossing open areas regularly. This is in marked contrast to the behaviour of birds, which are sojourning at the forest edge. Additionally, faecal samples from frugivorous bats were also analysed, resulting in 18 different seed morphotypes out of 8 plant families. The majority belongs to the families of Piperaceae, Solanaceae and Araceae. In conclusion, the frugivorous phyllostomid bats showed to be essential
for the regeneration of neotropical montane forest and the restoration of landslides.
13 plant families were collected in all seed traps on all sites. The number of bat dispersed seeds on each site was higher than the number of bird dispersed seeds (between 62,5 % to 90,6 % by bats). The chiropterochorous seed rain was composed of 27 different seed morphotypes. The ascertained distribution pattern of the faeces of bats and birds indicates that bats are crossing open areas regularly. This is in marked contrast to the behaviour of birds, which are sojourning at the forest edge. Additionally, faecal samples from frugivorous bats were also analysed, resulting in 18 different seed morphotypes out of 8 plant families. The majority belongs to the families of Piperaceae, Solanaceae and Araceae. In conclusion, the frugivorous phyllostomid bats showed to be essential
for the regeneration of neotropical montane forest and the restoration of landslides.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 232-237 |
Journal | Chiroptera Neotropical |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2006 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Externally published | Yes |