SEED DISPERSAL AND FRUGIVORY IN TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS
Résumé
This chapter first presents an overview of the seed dispersal cycle and then focuses specifically on seed dispersal. The distinctions between primary and secondary seed dispersal and factors that affect the efficiency and effectiveness of seed dispersal are presented. How mutualistic interactions between frugivores and fruits may be recognized and definitions of fruit syndromes are described. Several methods for the study of seed dispersal are presented ranging from simple descriptive studies documenting seed dispersers, to more modern techniques that use genetic markers. Finally, this chapter concludes by discussing the possible consequences of the elimination of vertebrate seed dispersers from tropical forests.