Seed dispersal by Salvin's curassow, Mitu salvini (Cracidae), in a tropical forest of Colombia: Direct measurements of dispersal distance

Seed dispersal by Salvin's curassows (Mitu salvini) was studied in a lowlan d tropical forest at La Macarena on the border of the Macarena and Tinigua National Parks, the Department of Meta, Colombia. Continuous observations w ere made on the Feeding and ranging behavior of a well-habituated pair of b irds from 0600 to 1800 h for 19 days. Total observation time was 222 h. The daily distance traveled by the birds ranged from 630 to 3750 m, with a mea n of 1953 m (+/- 776 m). The total home range was cn 34.4 ha. Although cura ssows were observed consuming Fruits of 13 species belonging to the Familie s Rubiaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Burseraceae, Leguminosae, and Lecythidace ae, only seeds of Geophila repens (Rubiaceae) and Ficus. sphenophylla (Morc eae) were found in their Feces. For G. repens, the mean and maximum retenti on times were 1 h 52 min (+/- 1 h 20 min) and 6 h 08 min, and the mean and maximum direct dispersal distances were 245 m (+/- 164 m) and 633 m. More t han half the seeds were dispersed in canopy gaps. For F. sphenophylla, the mean and maximum retention rimes were 3 h 15 min (+/- 37 min) and 7 h 08 mi n, and the mean and maximum direct dispersal distances were 329 m (+/- 46 m ) and 451 m. Nearly GO percent of the estimated seed intake of G. repens an d 92-94 percent of F sphenophylla were digested or damaged. The retention t imes and the dispersal distances for Stretoptogyna americana, which has adh esive burrs, were also measured. The mean and maximum retention times were 1 h 55 min (+/- 1 h 56 min) and 9 h 11 min, and the mean and maximum direct dispersal distances were 128 m (+/- 68 m) and 280 m. This is the first stu dy in which direct measurements were made For retention times and dispersal distances of the epizoochory and endozoochory for birds in the field.