Contribution by possums to seed rain and subsequent seed germination in successional vegetation, Canterbury, New Zealand

The contribution of seeds and fruit to the diet of the introduced brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was examined in seral vegetation in lowland Canterbury, New Zealand. Fruit and seeds comprised c. 70% of total possum diet, and possums contributed 17% of the dispersed seed rain for the period...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New Zealand journal of ecology 2002-01, Vol.26 (2), p.121-127
Main Authors: Dungan, Roger J., O'Cain, Martyn J., Lopez, M. Liza, Norton, David A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Brush-tailed possums
Conservation biology
Diet
Dispersal
Ecological succession
Forest conservation
Forest ecology
Fruits
Germination
Intestines
Opossums
Seed dispersal
Seeds
Trichosurus vulpecula
Vegetation
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Summary:The contribution of seeds and fruit to the diet of the introduced brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was examined in seral vegetation in lowland Canterbury, New Zealand. Fruit and seeds comprised c. 70% of total possum diet, and possums contributed 17% of the dispersed seed rain for the period of our study. The effect of gut passage on germination was measured for five seed species by germinating seeds recovered from faeces of captive and wild possums. At least one-quarter of seeds of four of the species germinated. Two seed species showed a negative effect, and one a positive effect of gut passage relative to uningested seeds. Although possums may increase the spread of invasive weeds, their seed dispersal behaviour may offer conservation benefits by accelerating succession in seral vegetation. Because of the reduction in numbers of large-gaped native birds (e.g. kereru, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), possums may now be the only dispersal agents for large-seeded native species in many areas.
ISSN:0110-6465
1177-7788
1177-7788