Seeds dispersed in dung of insectivores and herbivores in semi-arid southern Africa

Date
2001
Authors
Milton S.J.
Dean W.R.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
We investigated the incidence of endozoochory in the semi-arid South African Karoo shrubland and Kalahari savanna by dissecting and germinating seed from dung samples from a wide range of wild mammals and domestic livestock. Intact seeds occurred at a mean density of 1575 seeds kg-1 in livestock air-dried dung and 3613 seeds kg-1 in air-dried dung of indigenous animals. Seedlings emerged from dung at an average density of 153 kg-1 air-dry dung. Seeds of Aizoaceae, Mesembryanthemaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae were abundant in the dung of wild and domestic herbivores as well as such ant- and termite-eating insectivores as aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis). Seeds of fleshy-fruited shrubs occurred in dung of browsing herbivores and the bat-eared fox. Five non-indigenous weeds were found in the dung samples. Although the floras of the Kalahari and Karoo are considered to be largely wind and water-dispersed, endozoochory is a primary or secondary dispersal mechanism in many plant families and for many plant life-forms. Animals dispersed seeds of many species characteristic of fertile and disturbed habitats. In Mesembryanthemaceae, a family in which seeds are primarily dispersed very short distances by raindrops, endozoochory enables occasional long-distance dispersal. © 2001 Academic Press.
Description
Keywords
herbivore, insectivore, manure, seed dispersal, semiarid region, Africa, Acer pensylvanicum, Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae, Animalia, Canidae, Formicidae, Isoptera, Mammalia, Orycteropus afer, Otocyon megalotis, Poaceae, Struthio camelus
Citation
Journal of Arid Environments
47
4