Fruit digestion time, integrity and germination of seeds defecated by Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the effects on the integrity, germinability and mean germination time of three Ficus species eaten by Artibeus lituratus in captivity. The passage of seeds through the digestive tract of the animal did not interfere in the germinability and the mean germination time of F. organensis; however, it increased the germination of F. guaranitica and reduced the mean germination time of F. glabra. The mean time of digestion of A. lituratus presented no significant difference for Ficus species. The results showed that A. lituratus has a good potential for dispersal and can modify the germination of some Ficus species.

KEYWORDS:

• Bats
• Frugivory
• Ficus organensis
• Ficus guaranitica
• Ficus glabra

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Thais Martinez and Vinicius Maccarini for their assistance in collecting data, Prof. Lindamir Pastorini for the availability of the germination incubators, the Compared Biology Program for the knowledge acquired, the State University of Maringá for granting space and manpower for the construction of the enclosures used.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.