Dispersal of Leafy Spurge Seeds (Euphorbia esula) by Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura)

Abstract

The potential of mourning doves (Zenaida macrouraL.) as dispersers of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL. # EPHES) seeds was investigated by examing digestive tract contents and feces. Very few intact seeds passed through the digestive systems of wild or captive adult mourning doves. An average of less than one intact leafy spurge seed/g was recovered from fecal material found in dove nests. These results suggest that adult mourning doves are primarily consumers of leafy spurge seeds and rarely act as dispersal agents. It appears that dispersal is only possible when seeds passing through the digestive tracts of nestlings are deposited in the nest and the nest later falls.