DIFFERENTIAL FRUIT CHOICE IN TWO SIMPATRIC MONKEY SPECIES AND FRUGIVOROUS BATS IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

In order to identify the role played by plant species as a food source in the fruit election of dispersing agents (Alouatta pigra Lawrence 1933, Atelesgeoffroyi Kuhl 1820 and frugivorous bats), we developed a study in dry tropical forests in Yucatan, Mexico. We recorded the fruits consumed by frugiv...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Henry Fernando DZUL CAUICH, Marili del Carmen PUC SOSA, Juan Miguel CANTO OSORIO, Horacio Salomón BALLINA GOMEZ
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:México
Institución:Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal
Repositorio:Redalyc-ITCO
OAI Identifier:oai:redalyc.org:319057945001
Acceso en línea:https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=319057945001
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3190/319057945001/
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3190/319057945001/html/
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3190/319057945001/319057945001.epub
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3190/319057945001/movil
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biología
Yucatan
tree species
seed handling
Alouatta pigra
Ateles geoffroyi
Descripción
Sumario:In order to identify the role played by plant species as a food source in the fruit election of dispersing agents (Alouatta pigra Lawrence 1933, Atelesgeoffroyi Kuhl 1820 and frugivorous bats), we developed a study in dry tropical forests in Yucatan, Mexico. We recorded the fruits consumed by frugivorous bats using collectors and, for monkeys, we implemented the focal animal method. The number of fruits consumed by primates (A. pigra and A. geoffroyi) and bats were recorded, 342 and 386, respectively. It was determined that bats deposited fruits with some percentage of pulp, while monkeys contributed more with a fruits without pulp (pairwise LSD contrast p < 0.05). Among the variety of fruit species in the diet of primates, we detected that A. pigra chose mostly not an abundant species such as Enterolobium cyclocarpum Jacq. Griseb. (1860) instead of those more abundant (Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (1953) and Brosimum alicastrum Sw. subsp. alicastrum C.C. Berg (1972)). The type of fruit and seed handling caused by primates would be more beneficial to seed germination than those applied by bats. Moreover, this election and fruit handling could depend on the characteristics of fruits and space-temporal availability of plant species as a food source.