![]() During this time, they eat until they are full and then search for surplus food to bury in caches, which they rely on heavily during the rainforest’s dry season, when fruit is no longer readily available (Henry 1999). Furthermore, during the fruiting season, agoutis are thought to survive primarily on ripe fruit, which is abundant and easily accessible on the forest * This paper was written in BIO 133: Tropical Rain Forests, taught by Lynn Westley. Their relatively widespread distribution in neotropical forests is indicative of their importance as a member of their ecological communities. Agoutis inhabit a wide range of tropical rainforests, from areas in southern Mexico to northern Argentina (Nowak 1991, as cited in Jorge & Peres 2005). They scatterhoard seeds, collecting and burying seeds within their home ranges for future use, thus providing security for times when food may be scarce. Agoutis play a critical role in the dispersal of the seeds of many large-seeded plant species found within tropical rainforests (Silvius & Fragoso 2003). Dasyprocta have incisors that that allow them to open hard fruit pits and gnaw through the hard outer layer of some seeds. 1997) that are primarily frugivorous, which suggests that the majority of their diet is comprised of fruit and/or seeds (Smythe 1986). Agoutis are relatively large (3.0-5.9 kg) caviomorph rodents (Peres et. Agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.) are among the terrestrial mammals that act as seed dispersers in neotropical forests. In neotropical forests, the dispersal of these seeds is most often facilitated by various species of rodents. These seeds are generally too large to be swallowed by birds, bats, and primates, which suggests that seeds of this type evolved in such a way that they would be dispersed by terrestrial mammals (Smythe 1986). A significant proportion of the trees in neotropical forests, however, produce fleshy fruits with relatively large seeds that are often encased in a tough pod or seed coat. ![]() These seeds are sometimes dropped after being partially eaten, or they simply fall to the ground if they have not been picked for consumption (Smythe 1986). They are generally dispersed after being swallowed and passing, intact, through the animals’ digestive system. A number of the seeds in these forests are adapted for dispersal by either species that live within the forest canopy, such as primates, or species, such as birds and bats, that are capable of flight. The species of plants and animals involved in these intricate relationships are thus able to rely on one another for their own survival. In some cases, animals act as both seed predators and seed dispersers, ingesting and damaging some seeds, while dispersing others (Theimer 2005). These plant-animal interactions have considerable effects on plant distribution and diversity and the structure of rainforest communities (Howe & Smallwood 1982). Many of the seeds within neotropical forests are dispersed by animals. Without the use of dispersal agents, seeds must compete with parent plants and with one another in order to survive. 3 February 2007, Lake Forest College Essays Agoutis and Seed Dispersal in Tropical Rainforest Stephanne Levin* Department of Biology Lake Forest College Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 Seed dispersal is a vital component of all tropical rainforests it is the means by which plants can spread their seeds and successfully reproduce.
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