Seed size, seedling morphology, and response to deep shade and damage in neotropical rain forest trees

A majority of Neotropical rain-forest trees have fruits evolved for animal consumption suggesting that seed-dispersal mutualisms are fundamental interactions structuring these ecosystems (Howe 1986, Howe & Smallwood 1982, van Roosmalen 1985). However, whether frugivores act as seed dispersers or predators of particular plant species is unknown for most tropical trees. Trees of the family Lecythidaceae are widespread in Neotropical rain forests forming an important component of the plant community (Aparecida Lopes 2007, Mori 1990, Mori et al. 2001, Sabatier & Prevost 1990), yet studies of plant–animal interactions are few (Jorge & Peres 2005, Silvius & Fragoso 2003, Trivedi et al. 2004). Results suggest that Lecythidaceae trees with zoochoric fruits are principally dispersed by bats, birds, rodents and primates (Prance & Mori 1983), although we know little about animal interactions with Eschweilera seeds.

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Phylogeography of a species complex of lowland Neotropical rain forest trees (Carapa, Meliaceae)

Journal of Biogeography ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02678.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 676-692 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Caroline Scotti-Saintagne ◽

Christopher W. Dick ◽

Henri Caron ◽

Giovanni G. Vendramin ◽

Erwan Guichoux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rain Forest ◽

Species Complex ◽

Forest Trees ◽

Neotropical Rain Forest

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Andean orogeny and the diversification of lowland neotropical rain forest trees: A case study in Sapotaceae

Global and Planetary Change ◽

10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103481 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103481

Author(s):

Julieth Serrano ◽

James E. Richardson ◽

Richard I. Milne ◽

G. Ariadna Mondragon ◽

Julie A. Hawkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rain Forest ◽

Forest Trees ◽

Neotropical Rain Forest

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Intraspecific variation in seed size affects scatterhoarding behaviour of an Australian tropical rain-forest rodent

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467403003110 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 95-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Tad C. Theimer

Keyword(s):

Seed Size ◽

Tree Species ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Seedling Recruitment ◽

Removal Rate ◽

South East Asia ◽

Seed Removal ◽

Tropical Tree Species ◽

Neotropical Rain Forest

Vertebrate seed dispersers could impact the evolution of seed size or alter the pattern of seedling recruitment if they responded differently to seeds of varying size (Jordano 1995). For example, models of seed caching by birds and mammals predict that seeds of higher nutritive value should be placed farther from parent trees and in lower densities than lower quality seeds (Clarkson et al. 1986, Stapanian & Smith 1978, Tamura et al. 1999). Comparisons of seed removal rates among tropical tree species in South-East Asia (Blate et al. 1998) and Australia (Osunkoya 1994) failed to show a relationship between seed size and removal rate, although the probability that a seed was scatterhoarded by agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata) in a neotropical rain forest increased with interspecific seed size (Forget et al. 1998).

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