Endozoochorous dispersal of wild legumes: from seed recovery to field establishment.

Abstract

Ramos-Font, E., González Rebollar, J.L., Robles Cruz, A.B. 2015. Endozoochorous dispersal of wild legumes: from seed recovery to field establishment. Ecosistemas 24(3): 14-21. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-3.03

Endozoochorous dispersal of wild legumes: from seed recovery to field establishment.Endozoochory constitutes a crucial mechanism for the maintenance of plant populations, colonization of new habitats and to avoid habitats fragmentation. This work evaluates the capability of endozoochorous dispersal by sheep of Adenocarpus decorticans (AD), A. telonensis (AT), Cytisus fontanesii (CF), C. striatus (CS), Genista florida (GF) and G. versicolor (GV) through the analysis of: seed recovery, germination, emergence, and establishment and survival in a two-year field survey. Seed recovery ranged from 32% (AT y GV) to 3.4% (CS). Gut passage boosted or did not affect seed germination and emergence in the greenhouse. However, dung hindered germination in three species in natural conditions. Although, the probability of recruitment of dispersed seeds was similar or greater than control seeds, except for CF. Therefore, sheep can be effective dispersers for most of the studied species and this ability could be used for forest and restoration management plans.