Seed dispersal in an African fig tree: birds as high quantity, low quality dispersers?

Compton, Stephen G; Craig, Adrian J F K; Waters, I W R

Title: Seed dispersal in an African fig tree: birds as high quantity, low quality dispersers?
Creator: Compton, Stephen G
Creator: Craig, Adrian J F K
Creator: Waters, I W R
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 1996
Date: 1996
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465445
Identifier: vital:76610
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.1996.tb00017.x
Description: Ficus burtt‐davyi is a shrub or small tree found in the south and east of South Africa. Based on studies carried out in an area where the plant grows mainly as a rock‐splitter, we first describe the nature and timing of the fruit resources it offers to potential dispersal agents, and then the animals that feed on the fruits. The figs are eaten by a diverse avian disperser assemblage, although just two species comprised about half of the recorded visits to the trees. Germination trials with seeds defecated by the birds found that they germinated more quickly than control seeds. Small terrestrial mammals and ants were also found to have a role in fig seed dispersal which may be disproportionate to the number of seeds they transport.
Format: 10 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Journal of Biogeography
Relation: Compton, S.G., Craig, A.J.F.K. and Waters, I.W.R., 1996. Seed dispersal in an African fig tree: birds as high quantity, low quality dispersers?. Journal of Biogeography, 23(4), pp.553-563
Relation: Journal of Biogeography volume 23 number 4 553 563 1996 1365-2699
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Wiley Library Online Terms of Use Statement (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions)

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Craig, Adrian JFK (Prof)

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SDG 15. Life On Land

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

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