Dispersão de sementes por caprinos em áreas de caatinga

Abstract

Goats are often mentioned as sources of degradation of vegetation in arid regions around the world and it is associated with reduced recruitment, growth, geographical distribution and regeneration capacity of vegetation. However, its possible role as a disperser in defaunated environments is neglected. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether these animals can also enhance the seeds dispersal. The present work is divided into two parts – on the first was investigated seedling establishment capacity from seed in goats stool originating from areas at different distances from permanent or temporary rivers; on the second part it was observed the effect on germination of Spondias tuberosa (umbu) seeds after passage through the animals gastrointestinal tract. For the first experiment were obtained twenty species and 263 specimens were identified in total. The area next to permanent rivers showed the largest number of individuals; There was no statistical difference in richness between areas, and Prosopis juliflora was the most representative species. In the fruit supply to goats experiment, about 69% of Spondias tuberosa seeds were recovered. The percentage of germination was significantly higher in the regurgitated seeds than the seeds collected from feces, control and mechanically scarified. The average time of germination, germination speed index and sync was statistically different in seeds from mechanical treatment. The results indicate that goats can potentially dispersing seeds of plants that have been ingested, however, is essential to consider the species that appear in their feces, since many of them are exotic. Faeces sampled in areas with higher water availability showed a greater abundance of individuals, while the vegetable richness did not differ between areas Regurgitation of Spondias tuberosa seeds it is responsible for the significant increase in germination percentage of this species, but, their aggregate deposition ends up reducing the chances of establishment of umbu seeds in nature and is not therefore a legitimate disperser.