O potencial de dispersão de sementes por Saguinus bicolor (SPIX, 1823) (Primates: Callitrichidae)

Abstract

Seed dispersal is an extremely important process in the population dynamics of plants. This process can be mediated by dispersing agents as in the case of primates. During feeding these animals can spit or swallow the seeds of the fruits. When swallowing the seeds, a process known as endozoochory, these animals can increase germination, or even move seeds away from the parent plant, this can favor plants by avoiding competition, predation and disease on seeds and seedlings. We performed experiments such as the free-living tamarim (Saguinus bicolor) primate in the laboratory, using 23 species of fruits that are part of its diet, to test the effect of the passage of seeds through the digestive tract and which factors influence the time of seed retention. Tamarins favor most defecated seeds, increasing germination (50%) and speed of emergence (38,88%). The retention time was not influenced by the characteristics of the seeds or the amount of fiber in the fruit pulp, and the first appearance of the seeds in the feces was correlated with the quantities of swallowed seeds. Thus, tamarim can be considered an effective dispersant potential because the seeds remain viable after being defecated and the time the seeds are retained possibly favors dispersion. Therefore, seed dispersion mediated by tamarins may be beneficial for the maintenance and recovery of environments where these animals transit.