Abstract

HITTORF, M.  and  CORTEZ, J.P.. Seed Dispersal by Wild Herbivores: Sympatric Species Strategies. Silva Lus. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.Especial, pp.201-216. ISSN 0870-6352.

The endozoochory is a common mechanism for seed dispersal, resulting from the ingestion of fructifications and passage through the digestive tract of the animal. In northeastern Portugal, several species of herbivores, such as red and roe deer, wild rabbit and iberian hares coexist in some areas and the role of these species in seed dissemination and vegetation dynamics in the region is almost unknown. The main objectives of the present work were (1) to verify which species contribute most to the seed dispersal process (wild rabbit, Iberian hare, red and roe deer), (2) identify significant periods of dissemination of seeds from the seed amount detected in fecal deposits, (3) characterize the viability of seeds present in the depositions of deer and lagomorphs by germination. We used fecal material of deer in an area previously collected in the Onor river valley in northern Montesinho Natural Park and recent fecal material for four herbivore species, collected in the same area. The results obtained indicate the red deer as a species with greater importance than the roe deer in the dissemination of seeds in an annual cycle, but while considering the four herbivore species, the rabbit stands out as the species that most contributes to the spread seed, mostly in the autumn. Two important periods in seed dissemination were detected: March-April and September-October.

Keywords : Endozoochory; seed dispersal; germination; deer; lagomorph; fecal decay.

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