Influence of microclimate at different canopy heights on the germination of ficus (urostigma) seeds dispersed by mexican howler monkeys (alouatta palliata mexicana)

Résumé 0

"A variety of microclimatic factors influence the success ofseed germination in the strangler figs Ficus perforata and F.lundelli consumed by howler monkeys (Alouatta palliatamexicana) in southern Veracruz, Mexico. Seed germination wascompared at two canopy heights in two different study sites: disturbed(Playa Escondida; 40ha) and preserved (Carolino AnayaReserve, Coatzacoalcos; 600ha). Germination varied dependingon canopy height where the seeds were placed, and the quality(degree of conservation) of the habitat (preserved or disturbed). There was an evident between-habitat variation in humidity, lightintensity, and temperature in the host trees for hemiepiphyticFicus, which may affect the percent of germination response. Theresults show higher germination at the highest canopy locationfor seeds of both species. Germination was significantly higherin the preserved site for seeds from feaces vs. seeds from fruitssource. The latter is probably the effect on seed germination ofthe higher relative humidity and low light and temperature levelsin the preserved site."