INVESTIGADORES
AIZEN Marcelo Adrian
artículos
Título:
The potential key seed-dispersing role of the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops gliroides. Acta Oecologica
Autor/es:
AMICO, G.C., M.A. RODRÍGUEZ-CABAL, M.A. Y M.A. AIZEN
Revista:
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
Editorial:
GAUTHIER-VILLARS/EDITIONS ELSEVIER
Referencias:
Año: 2009 vol. 35 p. 8 - 13
ISSN:
1146-609X
Resumen:
Marsupial seed dispersal is a rare phenomenon, although it may be ecologically significant
in southern South America. The marsupial Dromiciops gliroides is endemic to the northern
part of the temperate forest of South America. Here we describe the food habits and
examine the potential role of D. gliroides as a seed disperser. We evaluated the diet of this
marsupial in its natural habitat and in captivity. Dromiciops gliroides is omnivorous showing
high consumption of a diversity of fruits. In captivity, D. gliroides consumed fruits from 80%
of 22 native plant species we examined. Experiments conducted with fruits from two
common understory shrubs show that seed passage through the digestive tract of D. gliroides
enhances germination. Our results suggest that this species may have an important
role as a seed disperser in the temperate forest of South America, which might offset
a scarcity of frugivorous bird species.