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Interactions between the invasive tree Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) and native frugivores in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2011

Friederike A. Voigt ,
Nina Farwig  and
Steven D. Johnson
Friederike A. Voigt*
Affiliation:
Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
Nina Farwig
Affiliation:
Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology – Conservation Ecology, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany
Steven D. Johnson
Affiliation:
Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
*
1Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract:

The spread of many invasive plants is facilitated through seed dispersal by frugivorous animals. The effectiveness of various frugivores as dispersers of the seeds of Melia azedarach, a highly invasive alien tree species, was evaluated in South Africa in savanna and bushveld vegetation. During 264 h of observation, seven bird species and one bat species were recorded foraging on fruiting trees of M. azedarach. The most common visitors were the dark-capped bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) followed by Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi), but both species dropped nearly as many seeds as they dispersed. Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix) dispersed the highest number of fruits per minute, but occurred in low abundance in our study sites. Seed germination differed significantly between de-pulped fruits and untreated fruits after 2 mo, but was similar after 4 mo. Germination success did not differ between animal-handled and hand-depulped fruits. In contrast to the high germination success in the greenhouse, seedlings showed very low recruitment in the field. Thus, M. azedarach seems likely to benefit from frugivores (particularly dark-capped bulbul and Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat) dispersing seeds to suitable microsites.

Keywords

bat dispersalbird dispersalgermination experimentsgut passagepioneerseedling distribution
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , July 2011 , pp. 355 - 363
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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