Evidence for a Role in Seed Dispersal by Two Tropical Herbivorous Turtles1
Evidence for a Role in Seed Dispersal by Two Tropical Herbivorous Turtles1
复制标题
两种热带草食性海龟在种子传播中发挥作用的证据1
DOI：
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发表时间：
1995
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
K. Jansen
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
D. Moll;K. Jansen
The capacity for seed dispersal by two herbivorous turtles, the aquatic Rhinoclemmys funerea and the terrestrial R. annulata, was investigated in the vicinity of Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Defecated seeds of several riparian plant species from R. funerea feces and defecated seeds of several terrestrial plant species, mainly characteristic of treefall areas, from R. annulata feces germinated as well as uningested seeds with which they were compared. The Rhinoclemmys funerea habit of regularly emerging from water to forage and defecate on river banks may contribute to the establishment of riparian species such as Dieffenbachia longispatha and Ficus glabrata. Rhinoclemmys annulata forages through tropical wet forest habitats, spending a disproportionate amount of time feeding in treefall areas. Its movement between these areas and defecation of seeds while foraging in them may contribute to the establishment of the distinctive flora of these small, disjunct habitats.
