Internal dispersal of seed-inhabiting insects by vertebrate frugivores: a review and prospects

Hernández, A. (2011) - Internal dispersal of seed-inhabiting insects by vertebrate frugivores: a review and prospects - Integrative Zoology

The finding that some seed-inhabiting insects can survive passage through the entire digestive tract of seed-dispersing
vertebrates is relatively recent, but evidence suggests that it does occur. Here, I document this phenomenon,
discuss its qualitative and quantitative dimensions, and offer suggestions for further research. The few documented
cases that I review include plant species belonging to different families, with varied fleshy fruit types, number of
seeds per fruit and seed size. The vertebrate frugivores involved include passerines that feed on relatively small
fruits, and galliforms, and perissodactyls and primates that feed on larger fruits. The seed-inhabiting insects involved
are the larvae of seed-infesting wasps, parasitoid wasps and seed-infesting beetles. The phenomenon has
been verified in open, rural ecosystems in North America and Southern Europe, and in tropical and subtropical
forests in South America. These varied scenarios suggest that the qualitative dimension of the phenomenon is
considerably greater than known thus far. A simple method for detecting new events is proposed. However, research
must also focus on the identity and biology of seed-feeding insects of wild fleshy fruits and their parasitoids.
High survival rates of seed-inhabiting insects after vertebrate gut passage are predominant. This phenomenon
generally appears to favor insect dispersal.

Más información

SCI: 

SI

Tipo de Publicación: 

Artículos

ISSN: 

1749-4877

Volumen: 

6

Página Inicial: 

213

Página Final: 

221