A case study of a plant-animal relationship: Cola lizae and lowland gorillas in the Lope Reserve, Gabon |
|
|---|---|
| Author | |
| Tutin, C.E.G.; Williamson, E.A.; Rogers, M.E.; Fernandez, M. | |
| Year | |
| 1991 | |
| Secondary Title | |
| Journal of Tropical Ecology | |
| Volume | |
| 7 | |
| Pages | |
| 181-199 | |
| Abstract | |
| The frails of Cola lizae, an endemic tree with a limited geographical distribution, have been a major food source for lowland gorillas in the Lopé Reserve during part of each year over a six-year period. Faecal analysis indicated that 11,000-18,000 Cola seeds km-2 were deposited by gorillas during the 4-month season in 1989. Gorillas are the only important dispersers of this species: other primates consume the succulent mesocarp, but do not swallow the large seed; elephants do not eat Cola fruits. Observations of Cola seeds in gorilla faeces showed a very high germination rate and, despite initial high mortality, 18% of seedlings still survived six months after deposition. Survival of seedlings was significantly better in faeces left at nest-sites than in other areas of the forest: 40% of seedlings were viable at nest-sites six months after deposition. This suggests that the open areas of forest, preferred by gorillas as nest-sites, are advantageous to the propagation of this species. | |
| DOI | |
| 10.1017/S0266467400005320 | |
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