SIMULATION OF ANDIRA FRUIT PULP REMOVAL BY BATS REDUCES SEED PREDATION BY CLEOGONUSWEEVILS

Abstract

By cutting 1/3,2/3 and all of the fruit pulp off of ripe Andira inermis fruits, the intensity of seed predation by Cleogonus weevils was lowered from 97.5 percent in the controls to 92.5, 92.5 and 83.5 percent, respectively. Removing the fruit pulp simulates what the bats do to Andira fruits during seed dispersal. I conclude that dispersal of Andira seeds by bats may increase seed survival by more than just removing them from the vicinity of the parent tree.