Seed Dispersal of Morus macroura (Moraceae) by Two Frugivorous Bats in Xishuangbanna, SW China |
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Authors: | Zhan-Hui Tang Min Cao Lian-Xi Sheng Xun-Feng Ma Allyson Walsh Shu-Yi Zhang |
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Institution: | Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, North East Normal University, Changchun 130024, China;Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China;Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32609, U.S.A.;School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China |
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Abstract: | The dispersal of Morus macroura seeds by two species of frugivorous bats ( Rousettus leschenaulti and Cynopterus sphinx ) was studied in a forest at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Southwest China from March to May 2005. Feeding roosts were identified within 500 m around parent trees and the types and number of seed loads under each roost were recorded. We found feeding roost density decreased with increasing distance from the parent, but found no correlation between distance and seed deposition. The effect of bat digestion on seed germination was investigated, and we found that germination percentage of all treatments involving ingestion by bats was significantly lower than control seeds and some germination parameters of seeds from different treatments changed. |
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Keywords: | Cynopterus sphinx germination Rousettus leschenaulti seed shadow |
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