U.S.-Ecuador Dissertation Enhancement: Seed Dispersal by Toucans in Amazonia Ecuador: Toucan-Generated Seed Shadows and Genetic-based Models of Virola flexuosa, a Neotropical

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In this U.S.-Ecuador dissertation enhancement project supported by the Americas Program of the Office of International Science and Engineering, Bette A. Loiselle and Kimberly M Holbrook of the University of Missouri, Saint Louis, will conduct dissertation enhancement research to investigate the contribution of seed dispersal to tropical forest diversity and structure. This research addresses hypotheses that toucan seed dispersal behavior influences the population structure of a neotropical nutmeg, Virola flexuosa. This project includes work and collaboration with scientists and student biologists from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador (USFQ) and Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (PUCE).The project focuses on a topic of considerable importance to long-term conservation and restoration of biodiversity, particularly in the tropics. The project will provide international research experience for a female US student and will strengthen collaborations with Latin American scientists.