Orientador: Flavio Antonio Maës dos Santos / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T08:26:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Suarez_MarisolRios_M.pdf: 1920628 bytes, checksum: 9d3bde993f4bf8392543d78a60ad9fc2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Nas florestas tropicais, cerca de 90% dos frutos produzidos são consumidos principalmente por aves, consideradas o principal agente dispersor nos trópicos. Portanto, aves exercem uma grande influência na dinâmica e estrutura das populações vegetais. A manutenção das comunidades de aves frugívoras depende da disponibilidade de recursos, que pode ser avaliada através da chuva de sementes. A chuva de sementes constitui a comunidade de diásporos (i.e unidades funcionais de dispersão, como sementes e frutos) que são liberados no ambiente. Além disso, permite conhecer a quantidade e identidade dos frutos que são produzidos e utilizados como recurso alimentar por animais frugívoros. Dessa forma, é possível acompanhar a sazonalidade e disponibilidade de recursos nas florestas. A produção de frutos pode ser afetada por fatores climáticos, como a precipitação, e ocasionar uma variação na chuva de sementes e também na disponibilidade de alimento. Dado que a forma como as aves distribuem as sementes nas florestas parece ser não indiscriminada, a distribuição das sementes dispersas também pode ser avaliada por meio da chuva de sementes. A identificação de locais com alta deposição de sementes permite evidenciar não só a preferência de habitat que podem apresentar os animais frugívoros, mais também avaliar o potencial de regeneração das florestas e predizer possíveis "hotspots" de recrutamento de novos indivíduos para as populações. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estrutura espacial e temporal da chuva de sementes ornitocóricas dispersas por aves e aquelas que caem da planta parental em duas áreas de Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas no sudeste do Brasil. Foi utilizada a chuva de sementes coletada por Martins (2011) durante dois anos em duas parcelas de 1 ha instaladas na Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas (50m - 100m) no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar. Em 2013 foram separados e quantificados todos os diásporos ornitocóricos (consumidos e não consumidos) em cada coletor. Caracterizamos a chuva de sementes ornitocóricas descrevendo variações temporais na abundância de sementes, composição e riqueza de espécies. Por último, utilizamos técnicas de análise espacial para avaliar o padrão de distribuição da chuva de sementes. Os padrões de sazonalidade e variação temporal na chuva de sementes foram similares entre as duas parcelas. O número de sementes em cada parcela foi maior no período úmido e a riqueza de espécies não apresentou sazonalidade ao longo do tempo. Porém a composição de espécies na chuva de sementes foi diferente entre as parcelas. Houve diferenças no padrão de distribuição das sementes ornitocóricas entre as duas parcelas e ao longo do tempo. Assim, a chuva de sementes foi majoritariamente agregada e os locais de chegada das sementes não foram consistentes no tempo. Este estudo mostra que a disponibilidade de alimento para as aves frugívoras é constante o ano todo, devido à presença de espécies importantes que frutificam na época seca tornando-se fundamentais para a manutenção das comunidades de aves. Nossos resultados também mostram que o padrão de distribuição das sementes ornitocóricas é dependente de contexto e varia entre áreas e também ao longo do tempo, o que tem importantes implicações na previsibilidade de "hotspots" para o recrutamento de novos indivíduos na comunidade / Abstract: In tropical forests, about 90% of fruits produced are mainly consumed by birds, considered the main dispersal agent in the tropics. Therefore, birds have a major influence on the dynamics and structure of plant populations. The maintenance of frugivores bird communities depends on the availability of resources, which can be assessed by seed rain. The seed rain is the diasporas community (i.e. functional dispersion units such as seeds and fruits) that is released into the environment. In addition, allows knowing the amount and identity of the fruits that are produced and used as a food resource for frugivores animals. Thus, it is possible to follow the seasonality and availability of resources in the forests. Fruit production can be affected by climatic factors such as rainfall, and cause a variation in seed rain and also in food availability. Due to the way that birds distribute the seeds in forests seems not indiscriminately. The distribution of the dispersed seeds can also be evaluated by their seed rain. Therefore, the identification of areas with high seed deposition allows highlight not only the habitat preferences by the frugivores animals, but also allow to assess the potential for regeneration of forests and predict potential "hotspots" of recruitment of new individuals to populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial and temporal structure of ornitocorics seed rain dispersed by birds and those that fall directly from the parent plant in two areas of the Lowlands Atlantic rain forest in southeastern Brazil. Was used the seed rain collected by Martins (2011) for two years in two plots of 1 ha installed in the Lowlands dense rain forest (50m - 100m) in the State Park of Serra do Mar. In 2013 were separated and quantified all ornitocorics diasporas (consumed and not consumed) in each seed-trap. We characterize the ornirocorcs seed rain describing temporal variations in the abundance of seeds, composition and species richness. Finally, spatial analysis techniques used to evaluate the distribution pattern of the rain seeds. Seasonality patterns and temporal variation in seed rain were similar between the two plots. The number of seeds in each plot was higher in the wet season and species richness did not show seasonality over time. However, the species composition of seed rain was different between plots. There were differences in the distribution pattern of seed rain between the two plots over time. Thus, the seed rain was mostly aggregated and seed deposition sites were not consistent in time. This study shows that the availability of food for frugivores birds is constant throughout the year, due to the presence of key species that fruit in the dry season making it essential for the maintenance of bird communities. Our results also show that the pattern of distribution of ornitocorics seed rain is context dependent and varies between areas, and also over time, which has important implications for the predictability of "hotspots" for the recruitment of new individuals in the community / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestra em Ecologia

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Ecology and Biodiversity / Master / Master of Philosophy

It has been suggested that fruit features such as nutrient content, size and colour have co-evolved with dispersal agent behaviour, physiology and morphology. Avian nectarivore feeding ecology is relatively well studied; however, less is known about fruit selection in avian frugivores. Previous work highlights the importance of individual factors that contribute towards fruit preferences, but few studies bring these factors together. Consequently the aim of this dissertation was to attempt this in terms of frugivory by investigating behavioural, physiological and morphological aspects of fruit selection in generalist avian dispersers. This was achieved by manipulating the nutritional content, size and colour of fruits (artificial fruits) under controlled conditions. The first part of the dissertation addresses physiological aspects of fruit selection in Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio, Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus and Dark-Capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor. Assimilation efficiency of birds fed glucose and sucrose diet treatments of varying concentration was observed. All study species showed high apparent assimilation efficiency irrespective of artificial fruit sugar concentration and type (with the exception of Red-winged Starlings on an all sucrose diet). The second part of the dissertation addresses behavioural aspects of fruit selection in the same three species by observing selective preferences between glucose and sucrose fruits of varying concentration and molarity. While Mousebirds displayed no preference for any of the diet treatments, Bulbuls occasionally favoured glucose diets over sucrose diets and Starlings always favoured glucose diets over sucrose diets. Another behavioural aspect of fruit selection was addressed in the third part of the dissertation. Colour preferences of Red-winged Starling and Speckled Mousebird were observed. Although study species did not conform to trends by favouring black and red fruits, they did show avoidance of green fruits and (Starlings) presented evidence of learning. A morphological aspect of fruit selection is presented in the fourth part of the dissertation. Starlings, Bulbuls and Mousebird beak morphology was measured to investigate if this has an effect on fruit size preferences. Starlings with the largest beak dimensions were more selective of fruit size classes than Bulbuls and Mousebirds which displayed the importance of feeding method (thrashing/swallowing/mashing) to compensate for larger fruit sizes. The final section of this dissertation is a synthesis of the observed behavioural, physiological and morphological aspects of fruit selection in Red-winged Starlings, Dark-capped Bulbuls and Speckled-Mousebirds. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Degradation of forest environments in South Africa have greatly affected both the plants and animals that interact with these plants. It is therefore important to understand plant-animal interactions in forest ecosystems in an effort to develop strategies for forest conservation. Animal dispersal can assist in the restoration of forest plant diversity and consequently animal diversity. Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) occurs in the eastern part of South Africa and is known to feed on fruit, nectar, pollen and flowers. It is an important disperser of various indigenous and alien invasive forest fruit species. Little is known about the benefits these bats get from feeding on fruit. Furthermore, the buccal cavity and lingual adaptations of fruit bats in Southern Africa are unknown. This study investigated morphological and physiological adaptations for frugivory in E. wahlbergi. In particular, the palatal and lingual morphological structures of E. wahlbergi were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of this study showed that the morphological structures of tongue papillae in E. wahlbergi were similar to that of other fruit and nectar feeding bats. The structural arrangement of tongue papillae in E. wahlbergi probably allows food to move from the anterior part of the tongue and collect at the median line of the posterior part of the tongue, and thereafter move down to the pharynx. These bats had an elongated tongue, wide, flattened molar teeth, and a hard papillae structure observed on the upper palate at the posterior end of the buccal cavity. This papillae structure has not been described previously; and it appears that it is with this structure, together with the palatal ridges, and teeth that E. wahlbergi crushes fleshy fruit to extract the juices when feeding. Consequently palatal and lingual structures of E. wahlbergi showed morphological adaptations for efficiently feeding on fleshy fruit and nectar. South African indigenous and exotic fleshy fruits available to E. wahlbergi are found to be generally hexose dominant. These bats are suggested to have high glucose intake irrespective of sugar concentration to power their high energy demands due to flight. High glucose intake could result in increased blood plasma glucose levels which are detrimental to mammals of small body size. This study investigated the diel variations in blood plasma glucose concentrations of E. wahlbergi. Epomophorus wahlbergi’s blood plasma glucose concentration was lower (5.24 ± 0.38 mm ol/l) at 18h00 before feeding and increased during/after feeding (8.19 ± 1.24 mm ol/l), however bats appeared to regulate it within limits. Their range in concentrations was higher than the normal mammalian blood plasma glucose concentrations range. Consequently these bats appear to regulate their blood plasma glucose concentration although at a range higher than normal mammalian levels and thus reduce the negative consequences associated with hyperglycemia. The data obtained provide a baseline for comparison with free-ranging E. wahlbergi. Proteins are important in a diet to provide the required nitrogen and amino acids necessary for maintaining body tissues. Fruits, however, appear to have energy-rich but protein-limited foods. Frugivores that feed exclusively on fruit may therefore have difficulties in maintaining their protein requirements since fruits are generally high in sugar content but low in protein content. The importance of protein in the diet of E. wahlbergi was determined by measuring diet intake at varying levels of protein in the laboratory. Epomophorus wahlbergi were offered equicaloric 15 % glucose solutions with varying protein concentrations (2.58, 5.68, 7.23 g soy protein/kg H2O) and a solution with no protein. This was repeated using 15 % sucrose instead of glucose solutions. Epomophorus wahlbergi’s volumetric intake of the respective glucose and sucrose solutions varied among individual bats, with total volumetric intake highest for the solution with no protein (control) and lowest at 2.58 g/kg soy protein concentration solution for glucose and 5.68 and 7.23 g/kg soy protein concentration for sucrose. These bats appeared to prefer sugar solutions without or low protein, and their daily protein intake was relatively low. This suggests they have low-protein requirements, and this relates to their characteristic low-protein fruit available in the wild. Feeding and digestive efficiency has been widely studied in frugivorous and/or nectarivorous birds but relatively few studies have been done on bats, particularly African bats. Feeding on a liquid nectar diet and fruit juices could cause physiological challenges for nectarivores and/or frugivores as they have to balance water and energy intake from this liquid diet. Mammalian kidneys have to eliminate salts and nitrogenous wastes, conserve water during water restriction as well as excrete it when ingested in excess. Morphological renal characters are known to be reliable indicators of urinary concentrating abilities in mammals. Short digesta residence time is a digestive trait that is known to be associated with frugivory and this may be a problem since digestive efficiency is a function of the length of digesta retention time. Histological sections of E. wahlbergi kidneys and small intestines were examined under microscopy to determine water regulation and specialization for sugar absorption respectively. Cortex and medulla length measurements were taken to calculate the medulla: cortex ratio (M/C) and the percent medullary thickness (PMT). The observed M/C ratio and PMT of E. wahlbergi is typical of a mesic species. Epomophorus wahlbergi feeds on a watery diet and does not need to concentrate urine; therefore the medulla and cortex were more or less the same size. Analysis of the histological sections showed that the kidney structure of these bats allows efficient water regulation in a mesic environment. The microvilli of E. wahlbergi intestine were relatively long with a large surface area thus serves the purpose for efficient digestion and absorption of sugars in these bats. Future studies need to be done to determine the mechanisms by which these bats regulate their blood plasma glucose levels, and also determine intake on a selection of fruit in order to broaden research to adaptation of these bats on low-protein diets. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the physiological and morphological mechanisms that may affect fruit intake and consequently dispersal. It will contribute to a greater understanding of plant-animal interactions in southern Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Piertermaritzburg, 2012.

Orientador: Paulo Roberto Guimarães Júnior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T07:48:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marquitti_FlaviaMariaDarcie_M.pdf: 1225354 bytes, checksum: 120811efd17809715c9eb6454a6b9c34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Os mutualismos são interações importantes do ponto de vista ecológico e evolutivo, uma vez que influenciam a sobrevivência de diversos organismos, podendo determinar a organização da comunidade. Dada a importância ecológica e evolutiva das interações mutualísticas, é importante estudar quais fatores influenciam a sua organização. Como organismos aparentados compartilham características fenotípicas similares, é comum que espécies filogeneticamente próximas interajam com um conjunto de espécies similar, levando a um padrão conhecido por conservação filogenética do nicho. Apesar de este padrão ocorrer com frequencia, condições bióticas e abióticas locais podem levar à variação geográfica nas interações. A presença ou ausência de potenciais parceiros mutualísticos também podem alterar o padrão local de interações de uma espécie. Estudando interações entre morcegos frugívoros e plantas, investiguei como os padrões de interação de espécies em dez redes mutualísticas variavam conforme a distribuição geográfica. Nesse sentido, duas hipóteses principais guiaram este trabalho: a hipótese da conservação de nicho das interações e a hipótese da variação geográfica das interações. Caracterizei o padrão de interação das espécies de morcegos nas redes por meio de diferentes métricas usadas no estudo de redes ecológicas. Analisei a conservação de nicho das interações e a variação geográfica de espécies de morcego que ocorreram em um maior número de redes. Espécies filogeneticamente próximas não tenderam a apresentar padrões de interação mais parecidos entre si. Algumas das espécies mais frequentes apresentaram características dos padrões de interação em gradiente ou mosaico ao longo de sua distribuição geográfica. Estes resultados evidenciam que algumas características do padrão de interação de morcegos frugívoros, como grau de generalismo e o grau padronizado dentro do módulo são conservadas pela filogenia. No entanto algumas espécies apresentaram o grau de generalismo e o papel em relação aos módulos da rede variando ao longo da geografia, seguindo previsões da teoria do mosaico geográfico coevolutivo / Abstract: Mutualisms are important interactions to ecology and evolution because they affect the survivorship of many organisms and may shape community organization. Therefore, it is important to study which factors affect their organization. As related organisms share similar phenotypic traits, it is common that close phylogenetic species interact with a similar set of species, resulting in a pattern known as phylogenetic niche conservatism. Although this pattern frequently occurs, biotic and abiotic local conditions may lead to geographic variation of the interactions. The presence or absence of potential mutualistic partners may also change local interactions of a species. I studied interactions between frugivorous bats and plants and I investigated how species interactions patterns varied geographically across ten mutualistic networks. Two main hypotheses guided this work: the interaction niche conservatism hypothesis and the geographical variation hypothesis. I delineated the interaction patterns of bat species in the networks through different metrics used in ecological network studies. I analyzed the niche conservatism and geographical variation of bat species which occurred frequently in the networks. Related species did not tend to have similar patterns of interaction. Within their geographical range, some species vary markedly in their patterns of interaction and this variation often occurs as mosaics or, less frequently, as gradients. These results point out that some patterns of interaction of frugivorous bats, as the specialization degree and the standardized within-module degree, are conserved by phylogeny. However, some species showed variations through geography both in the specialization degree and in their role regarding the network modules, leading to a geographic mosaic of coevolution with potential implications to ecology and coevolution / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestre em Ecologia

South Africa is one of the world's most biologically invaded countries and has spent billions of rands on efforts to eradicate alien invasive plants. Chemical and mechanical control methods have varied in success and the need for integrated management strategies has been realised. This requires a better understanding of all aspects of the invasion process. Some of the most invasive plant species rely on vertebrate dispersers which facilitate long-distance seed dispersal. Frugivory is based on a mutualism in which the frugivores gain a resource and the plants benefit from seed dispersal away from the parent plant. Seed germination itself may either be enhanced, reduced or not affected at all after gut passage. The first aim of this study was to determine if generalist avian frugivores and a fruit bat species (Epomophorus wahlbergi) enhance or decrease seed germination of invasive alien plants in South Africa, by either pulp removal or seed coat abrasion, or if they serve as dispersers only. The second aim was to determine if avian frugivores are able to meet their energetic demands by feeding on a specific alien fruit diet. Finally, we also quantified the nutritional content and morphological characteristics of fleshy fruits of various invasive alien and exotic plant species. Avian frugivores: Red-winged Starlings (Onychognathus morio), Speckled Mousebirds (Colius striatus), and Dark-capped Bulbuls (Pycnonotus tricolor), varied in their effects on the germination success of seeds of four invasive alien species, namely: Lantana camara, Solanum mauritianum, Cinnamomum camphora, and Psidium guajava. However, this was not associated with differences in seed retention times. Similar germination success was observed for avian ingested and de-pulped seeds. This was also observed for fruit bat spat and depulped seeds of Psidium guajava, Melia azedarach, Eriobotrya japonica, and Morus alba. Therefore seed coat abrasion was not important for the germination of these fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants. Pulp removal resulted in significantly earlier seed germination as well as higher seed germination percentages than in the case of whole fruit controls for some of these invasive species. Gut passage is thus important for long-distance dispersal, and in some cases, for enhanced germination of seeds. The invasive Solanum mauritianum and indigenous congener S. giganteum showed similar germination responses, with both ingested and depulped seeds germinating profusely. However, S. giganteum benefited from pulp removal as seeds from whole fruits had less germination. Avian frugivores varied significantly in most energetic parameters calculated when given diets of invasive alien fruit. Speckled Mousebirds and Dark-capped Bulbuls were able to maintain body mass and efficiently process fruits of all four alien invasive plants, while Red-winged Starlings were only able to do so on lipid-rich C. camphora and sugar-rich S. mauritianum. Furthermore, frugivores also adjusted their feeding behavior by eating more nutritionally poor fruit and less energetically rewarding fruit. Fruit bats consumed more fruit per gram body mass than avian frugivores did. They therefore process proportionately more seeds than avian dispersers and thus their role in invasive seed dispersal, which has previously been underestimated particularly in South Africa, is highlighted. Fruits of invasive plant species were similar in morphology, but greater in nutritional content, than fruits of indigenous species. These fruits also contained small, light seeds with approximately only 30% having more than 10 seeds per fruit. The ability of frugivores to efficiently process these fruits and the greater nutritional rewards offered by these provide new insights into why these invasive fruits are preferred by frugivores. In addition, invasive alien plants may have a competitive edge over indigenous species because of their larger reproductive outputs and not necessarily because of greater germination success. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The present study, part of the Guigó Project , was based on the continuation of the analysis of the role of Callicebus coimbrai in the seed dispersal and regeneration of habitats in the fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Forest of Sergipe, Brazil. A group of C. coimbrai with six members (a breeding pair, two subadults, one juvenile, and one infant) was monitored between December, 2012, and October, 2013, in the Mata do Junco State Wildlife Refuge in the municipality of Capela, Sergipe. During five days per month, the study group was monitored continuously throughout the daily activity period. Data were collected in feeding-tree focal samples for the analysis of feeding behavior, with fecal samples being collected for the verification of the ingestion of seeds by the animals. Focal-animal samples were also collected, in which group members were monitored continuously during the daily activity period for the recording of feeding and defecation events (with the same set of data being collected for each event). Specimens of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) were also collected, whenever they were found in association with the feces. During each feeding event, the time, source, number of individuals visiting the source, and the number of fruits ingested were recorded, as well as the geographic coordinates, using a GPS. Details of the feeding behavior were also recorded, in relation to the parts of the fruit consumed and the ingestion of seeds. For each observed defecation event, the time, individual, and location (GPS) were recorded, and whenever possible, a sample of the feces was collected (together with specimens of dung beetles) for analysis. Seed dispersal was evaluated by measuring the distance (in ArcGis) between the sites at which the seeds were found in the feces and the probable source of the seeds. The members of the Junco group fed primarily on fruit, with a smaller contribution of leaves, flowers, seeds, and insects. A total of 488 defecation events were observed, resulting in the collection of 359 fecal samples (73.6% of the total) for analysis. In approximately 10% of these events (n = 46), scarabaeid specimens were collected for identification. Analysis of the fecal samples indicated that just over half the feces (56.5%) contained the seeds of at least 11 different plants species (with one to 26 seeds being found in a sample). In the focal-animal samples, between one and 15 events were recorded in a single day. Dispersal distances were generally between 100 m and 200 m, with a maximum distance of 211 m being recorded. Systematic variation was found in all parameters, related primarily to the seasonal variation in the availability of fruit. Longitudinal variation was also found in the plant species exploited by the group in the same period of 2012. Overall, the results of the study emphasize the importance of C. coimbrai as a seed disperser, and in particular, its role in the regeneration of the fragmented habitats that are typical of the Atlantic Forest of Sergipe. / O presente trabalho, integrante do Projeto Guigó , dá continuidade às análises do papel de Callicebus coimbrai na dispersão de sementes e regeneração de habitats na paisagem fragmentada da Mata Atlântica de Sergipe. Um grupo de C. coimbrai com seis integrantes (um casal reprodutor, dois subadultos, um juvenil e um infante) foi monitorado de dezembro de 2012 a outubro de 2013, no Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco, localizado no município sergipano de Capela. Durante cinco dias por mês, o grupo foi monitorado continuamente ao longo do período diurno de atividade. Os dados foram coletados através da amostragem de fonte-focal para a análise do comportamento alimentar e a coleta de amostras de fezes para a verificação da ingestão e dispersão de sementes pelos animais. Amostras de animal-focal também foram realizadas, onde membros do grupo foram monitorados continuamente ao longo do período de atividade, para o registro de todos os eventos de alimentação e defecação (com o mesmo conjunto de dados sendo coletado para cada evento). Foram coletados também espécimes de besouros coprófagos (Scarabaeidae) quando encontrados associados às fezes. Para cada evento de alimentação, registrava-se o horário, a fonte, o número de indivíduos que visitou a fonte e o número de frutos consumidos, além das coordenadas geográficas, registradas com um aparelho de GPS. O comportamento alimentar também foi registrado em relação às partes do fruto consumidas e a ingestão de sementes. Para cada evento de defecação observado, foi registrado o horário, o indivíduo envolvido e o local (GPS), e quando possível, uma amostra das fezes foi coletada (além de espécimes de escarabeídeos) para posterior análise. A dispersão de sementes foi avaliada medindo a distância entre o local onde sementes foram encontradas nas fezes e a provável fonte das mesmas em ArcGis. Os membros do grupo Junco se alimentavam essencialmente de frutos, com menor contribuição de folhas, flores, sementes e insetos. Um total de 488 eventos de defecação foi observado, onde 359 amostras de fezes (73,6% do total) foram coletadas para análise. Em aproximadamente 10% destes eventos (n = 46), foram coletados espécimes de escarabeídeos, para identificação. A análise das amostras indicou que um pouco mais da metade das amostras de fezes (56,5%) continham sementes de pelo menos onze espécies de plantas (de uma a 26 sementes por amostra). Na amostragem animal-focal, entre um e 15 eventos de defecação foram registrados em um único dia. Distâncias de dispersão de sementes foram geralmente entre 100 m e 200 m, sendo registrado um valor máximo de 211 m. Variações sistemáticas foram encontradas em todos os parâmetros, relacionadas principalmente à variação sazonal na disponibilidade de fruto. Variações longitudinais também foram encontradas em relação às espécies de plantas exploradas pelo grupo no mesmo período de 2012. De um modo geral, os resultados do estudo enfatizaram a importância de C. coimbrai como dispersor de sementes e principalmente seu papel na regeneração de habitats fragmentados, que são típicos da Mata Atlântica de Sergipe.