Authors: GUITIÁN, J.
Published: Volume 34(1), June 1987. Pages 25-35.
Language: Spanish
Original Title: Hedera helix y los pÁjaros dispersantes de sus semillas: tiempo de estancia en la planta y eficiencia de movilización
Keywords: Hedera helix, length of feding visits, NW Spain and seed dispersal.
Summary:
The fruit consumption and seed removal by birds in a clone of Ivy (Hedera helix, Araliaceae), were studied near Santiago (La Coruña, NW Spain). Six species of passerines visit the plants and feed on the fruits. Turdus merula is the most common visitor, 85 % of its faecal samples containing remains of Ivy fruits. Erithacus rubecula and Sylvia atricapilla are the next species in the visitation and consumption rates. The average length of feeding visits were 0,85+0,50 min, for the whole frugivore set. A greater frequency of feeding visits implicates a greater total time in the plant and both more fruit consumed and seeds removed. Turdus merula and Erithacus rubecula are the species which stay for a longer time in the plants and therefore the only species which drop Ivy seeds beneath the plants (regurgitated, defecated or fallen during fruit manipulation): T. merula 7,9 % and E. rubecula 6,7 % of the total seeds removed; however, Blackbirds and Robins are the main seed dispersers in the study site. When the field work finished, 83 % of the Ivy seeds over control were removed by birds. 7 % appear beneath the plants.
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