The fate of primary-dispersed Mauritia flexuosa L.f. fruit in different microhabitats in the Aripo Savanna Environmentally Sensitive Area, Trinidad, West Indies

Abstract

The fate of 1,500 Mauritia flexuosa L.f. fruit was observed between three distinct microhabitats of the Aripo Savanna Environmentally Sensitive Area, in Trinidad, by situating fruit stations and monitoring fruit fortnightly. Most fruit were used as a food source, with the most common fruit fate in all microhabitats being seeds remaining with the mesocarp partially or totally removed. Seed dispersal mainly occurred in the closed canopy of eastern forest margins and was negligible in island microhabitats (where stands of trees are surrounded by savanna). A lack of seed dispersers does not seem to be an immediate concern; however, ecological managers should closely monitor dispersers and their scatter-hoarding activities.