Seed predation of Couratari Guianensis (Lecythidaceae) by macaws in central Amazonia, Brazil

Torbjorn Haugaasen

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19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Psittacids are important pre-dispersal seed predators in Neotropical forests. However, little data on the intensity of seed predation by these birds are available. Here I report observation of crop damage by macaws on Couratari gmanensis trees in central Amazonia, Brazil. Macaws destroyed 99% of the fruit crop in the canopy of three C. guianensts trees. Fruits were still immature and observations suggest that unripe seeds which escaped predation were unlikely to be viable. This level of crop damage is high compared with other studies involving psittacids. The extent of crop damage may result from a scarcity of alternative food sources and suggests that fruits of C. gmanensis may be an important dry season resource for macaws in the study area.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)321-328
Number of pages8
JournalOrnitologia Neotropical
Volume19
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2008

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