Abstract
Partially covering the endocarp of each individual drupelet of F. microcarpa is a fleshy, discrete lipid-containing exocarp that suggests adaptation for seed dispersal by ants. The exocarps retained their attractiveness to ants and were not visibly altered following passage of the entire fruit through the gut of a frugivorous bird, the Indian hill mynah Gracula religiosa. Germination percentage was not significantly affected by gut passage or exocarp removal. Results suggest that F. microcarpa has a two-stage seed dispersal system, in which primary dispersal by vertebrates is followed by secondary dispersal by ants. Dispersal aided by ants may be of significance in the biology of this exotic hemiepiphyte in S Florida, where it is naturalized and appears to be spreading. -from Authors
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 971-977 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | American Journal of Botany |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| State | Published - Dec 1 1991 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Plant Science
Cite this
Adaptations for a two-phase seed dispersal system involving vertebrates and ants in a hemiepiphytic fig (Ficus microcarpa : Moraceae). / Kaufmann, S.; McKey, D. B.; Hossaert-Mckey, M.; Horvitz, Carol C.
In: American Journal of Botany, Vol. 78, No. 7, 01.12.1991, p. 971-977.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Adaptations for a two-phase seed dispersal system involving vertebrates and ants in a hemiepiphytic fig (Ficus microcarpa
T2 - Moraceae)
AU - Kaufmann, S.
AU - McKey, D. B.
AU - Hossaert-Mckey, M.
AU - Horvitz, Carol C
PY - 1991/12/1
Y1 - 1991/12/1
N2 - Partially covering the endocarp of each individual drupelet of F. microcarpa is a fleshy, discrete lipid-containing exocarp that suggests adaptation for seed dispersal by ants. The exocarps retained their attractiveness to ants and were not visibly altered following passage of the entire fruit through the gut of a frugivorous bird, the Indian hill mynah Gracula religiosa. Germination percentage was not significantly affected by gut passage or exocarp removal. Results suggest that F. microcarpa has a two-stage seed dispersal system, in which primary dispersal by vertebrates is followed by secondary dispersal by ants. Dispersal aided by ants may be of significance in the biology of this exotic hemiepiphyte in S Florida, where it is naturalized and appears to be spreading. -from Authors
AB - Partially covering the endocarp of each individual drupelet of F. microcarpa is a fleshy, discrete lipid-containing exocarp that suggests adaptation for seed dispersal by ants. The exocarps retained their attractiveness to ants and were not visibly altered following passage of the entire fruit through the gut of a frugivorous bird, the Indian hill mynah Gracula religiosa. Germination percentage was not significantly affected by gut passage or exocarp removal. Results suggest that F. microcarpa has a two-stage seed dispersal system, in which primary dispersal by vertebrates is followed by secondary dispersal by ants. Dispersal aided by ants may be of significance in the biology of this exotic hemiepiphyte in S Florida, where it is naturalized and appears to be spreading. -from Authors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0026345620&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0026345620&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0026345620
VL - 78
SP - 971
EP - 977
JO - American Journal of Botany
JF - American Journal of Botany
SN - 0002-9122
IS - 7
ER -