Affiliation:
1. United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu Tokyo Japan
2. Zoological Laboratory Ibaraki Nature Museum Bando Ibaraki Japan
3. Institute of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu Tokyo Japan
4. Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu Tokyo Japan
Abstract
AbstractWhile diverse animal species have been implicated in epizoochorous seed dispersal, studies specifically focused on bird‐mediated seed dispersal are scarce. We evaluated the potential contribution of two terrestrial birds, green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) and Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus), to epizoochorous seed dispersal using a dummy‐based method. Furthermore, we compared the number of seeds attached to birds and mammals using data from a previous study conducted using the same method, site, and season. The results revealed 435 seeds of four herbaceous species (Achyranthes bidentata, Hylodesmum podocarpum, Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Persicaria filiformis) attached to two bird dummies. All seeds found on birds possessed adhesive appendages such as hooks, bristles, or viscous substances. In addition, the number of attached seeds does not exhibit significant differences between birds and mammals, irrespective of the season or plant species. Our findings provide the first documented evidence of epizoochorous seed dispersal by Phasianidae birds, highlighting the potential redundancy and complementarity between birds and mammals in mediating epizoochory.