Can plant traits predict seed dispersal probability via red deer guts, fur, and hooves?

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Seed dispersal by mammals provides functional connectivity between isolated plant habitat patches. Across much of Europe, red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations are growing steadily, potentially leading to increasing importance of this large mammal species to plant dispersal. While deer endozoochory is relatively well studied, epizoochory via fur and hoof attachment is much less understood. Seed dispersal internally and externally on 57 red deer individuals was investigated by sampling the seed content of intestinal tracts, fur, and hooves of animals shot during annual hunts in four contrasted landscapes in Denmark. We assessed compositional differences between dispersal modes whether plant species' association to a dispersal mode could be predicted by seed traits, w

SUBMITTER: Petersen TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6745656 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature