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Short-term post-dispersal fate of seeds defecated by two small primate species (Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis) in the Amazonian forest of Peru

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

Laurence Culot ,
Marie-Claude Huynen ,
Paul Gérard  and
Eckhard W. Heymann
Laurence Culot*
Affiliation:
Behavioural Biology Unit, University of Liège, Belgium Department of Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
Marie-Claude Huynen
Affiliation:
Behavioural Biology Unit, University of Liège, Belgium
Paul Gérard
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of Liège, Belgium
Eckhard W. Heymann
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
*
1Corresponding author. Address: Université de Liège, Unité de Biologie du comportement: Ethologie et Psychologie animale, Quai Van Beneden, 22 Bât. I1, 4020 Liège. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract:

Post-dispersal fate of seeds dispersed by large primates is well studied but little is known about this process in small frugivores like tamarins. This study in the Amazonian forest of Peru aimed at investigating if characteristics related to the defecation patterns of tamarins (Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis) affected short-term post-dispersal seed fate, through secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles and removal by seed predators. Data on dung beetle activity were based on direct observations of 49 defecations while seed fate was studied using semi-controlled experiments (N = 458 for secondary dispersal and N = 398 for predation). Tamarins produce small defecations with a low number of seeds. Thirty-five per cent of defecations were visited by an average of 1.5 dung beetles that usually transport the faeces as pellets. Twenty-four per cent of seeds were buried by beetles at a mean depth of 3.5 cm. With increasing quantities of faecal matter, the probability of secondary seed dispersal increased but not the depth of burial. Seed predation pressure was low (17.6%) after 4 d and higher in faeces of S. mystax than in faeces of S. fuscicollis. Despite their small size, tamarins could be considered as high-quality seed dispersers, with a potential role for forest regeneration.

Keywords

Amazoniadung beetlesSaguinus fuscicollisSaguinus mystaxsecondary dispersalseed predation
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 229 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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