FRUGIVORY AND SEED DISPERSAL OF PODOCARPUS-NUBIGENA IN CHILOE, CHILE

We studied seed dispersal of macho macho (Podocarpus nubigena Lindl.) by birds in rainforests of Chiloe. Austral thrushes (Turdus falcklandi i) were the predominant agent of seed dispersal, carrying about 18% of seeds at least three tree-crowns away From the parent tree. several o ther passerines also dispersed some seeds. Chilean pigeons (Columba ar aucana) virtually always dropped seeds below the parent. Although seed s did not germinate in the laboratory, in field experiments, seeds ger minated regularly. The density of seedlings and juveniles exceeded 15/ m(2) under female manios and 1/m(2) under other trees in the forest.