Massive Seed Predation of Pseudobombax grandiflorum (Bombacaceae) by Parakeets Brotogeris versicolurus (Psittacidae) in a Forest Fragment in Brazil1

• Published in: Biotropica Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 613 - 615
• Main Authors: Francisco, Mercival Roberto, de Oliveira Lunardi, Vitor, Galetti, Mauro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Atlantic Forest; Brazil; Brotogeris versicolurus; forest fragmentation; Pseudobombax grandiflorum; Psittacidae; seed predation
• ISSN: 0006-3606; 1744-7429
• DOI: 10.1646/0006-3606(2002)034[0613:MSPOPG]2.0.CO;2

Here we report massive seed predation of Pseudobombax grandiflorum (Bombacaceae) by Botogeris versicolurus (Psittacidae) in a forest fragment in Brazil. The intensity of seed predation was very high when compared to other studies in continuous forest, perhaps resulting from a scarcity of resources in such areas. This scarcity may limit the range of parrot’s diet to a few plant species. It suggests that studies of Psittacidae seed predation may be important for conservation of some plants in fragments.