Seed Dispersal of <i>Citharexylum tetramerum</i> and <i>Ziziphus penduculata</i> by Carnivorous in a Xerophilous Scrub at Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Seed dispersion reduces the depredation rate and increases genetic flow. Some species of Carnivora consume fruits as a standard component of their diet, so they become potential seed dispersers. In Mexico, a few studies evaluated carnivorous as seed dispersers, especially in dry ecosystems. Citharexylum tetramerum and Ziziphus pedunculata are endemic plants from the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán’s Biosphere Reserve (TCBR); however, there are very little data about dispersal seeds for both species. We assessed the germination of seeds ingested by carnivores obtained from feces. We compared them with seeds from fruits as a control group. At the Metropolitan University laboratory, we germinated seeds, from: plants, scats, and fruits, and we used Kruskall Wallis Test to compare percentage and germination rate. C. tetramerum seeds ingested by a carnivorous decreased in germination percentage and rate. In contrast, the percentage and rate of germination of Z. pedunculata seeds from carnivorous feces were higher than the control group. However, Z. pedunculata control seeds did not germinate during tests, but at the end of the tests, we found that 90% of control seeds were not dead, so they were dormant seeds. Carnivores interact as legitime dispersers for both plants because they are keeping the viability of seeds. Still, we only showed that Z. pedunculata gut carnivores broke with the dormancy of seeds. We consider that in future research, it could be essential to identify other animals that consume fruits of those plants and if it is possible to follow seeds after they have been removed. Those points could help to get better understanding of those endemic plants from Tehuacán.