Seed mass, hardness, and phylogeny explain the potential for endozoochory by granivorous waterbirds.

ABSTRACT: Field studies have shown that waterbirds, especially members of the Anatidae family, are major vectors of dispersal by endozoochory for a broad range of plants lacking a fleshy fruit, yet whose propagules can survive gut passage. Widely adopted dispersal syndromes ignore this dispersal mechanism, and we currently have little understanding of what traits determine the potential of angiosperms for endozoochory by waterbirds. Results from previous experimental studies have been inconsistent as to how seed traits affect seed survival and retention time in the gut and have failed to control for the influence of plant phylogeny. Using 13 angiosperm species from aquatic and terrestrial habitats representing nine families, we examined the effects of seed size, shape, and hardness on the proportion

SUBMITTER: Lovas-Kiss A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029096 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature