Speciation and coevolution: an interpretation of frugivory phenomena

Evolutionary considerations of frugivory must account for patterns of diversity and abundance of both frugivorous vertebrates (especially pulp-eaters) and of plants producing zoochorous fruits. Analysis of the diet and behavior of representative species of frugivores from the tropical forests of French Guiana (seven species of bird and eight mammals) allowed their degree of specialization for frugivory to be assessed. Analysis of the flora associated with these species showed that genera associated with specialized vertebrates had the greatest species richness. This pattern suggests that plant animal co-evolution occurs in a step-wise fashion with short transitory phases of animal and plant evolution followed by long periods of stability.