Complementing endozoochorous seed dispersal patterns by donkeys and goats in a semi-natural island ecosystem.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Endozoochory is, in grazing systems, a substantial vector for seed dispersal. It can play an important role in vegetation dynamics, especially in colonization processes through seed input on the vegetation and on the soil seed bank. We investigated the endozoochorous seed input of donkeys and goats on a semi-natural island ecosystem in the Mediterranean. Through germination experiments, we assessed the viable seed content of the dung of these grazing animals to estimate their suitability and efficiency for seed dispersal of the vegetation types of the island. RESULTS:We show different dispersal patterns of donkeys and goats. Goats disperse a high number of diaspores from shrubs while donkeys disperse more diaspores of grasses. In addition, goats disperse plants of greater growth

SUBMITTER: Treitler JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5738203 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature