Seed dispersal by birds and squirrels in the deciduous forests of the United States

Dordrecht

1986

13 S.

Bandaufführung

11908S

190653

Well over 60% of the woody plant species in the eastern deciduous forests of the United States are dispersed by vertebrates that eat fleshy fruits or scatterhoard seeds. Some of the metabolic and evolutionary costs and benefits to the organisms involved in these interactions are discussed. I limit my discussion to frugivory by birds and scatterhoarding of nuts by tree squirrels. I compare and make speculations about these two seed dispersal mechanisms, focusing on fruit and nut preferences by dispersal agents and seed dispersal into different habitat types. Finally, I offer evolutionary explanations for the patterns observed.