Ecological and phytochemical diversity of arillate seeds in Aglaia (Meliaceae): a study of vertebrate dispersal in tropical trees

Journal article

The dispersal of ten species of equatorial rainforest tree, belonging to the genus Aglaia, was studied in Malaysia and Indonesia. In three of these (Aglaia species 2, A. oligocarpa and A. teysmanniana) the fruits are dehiscent capsules and the red-skinned arillate seeds are dispersed by birds. Nine species of bird, belonging to six families (Bucerotidae, Capitonidae, Corvidae, Eurylaimidae, Pycnonotidae and Sturnidae), were observed to swallow the seeds. The fruits of the remaining species are indehiscent and the seeds have a white, yellow or translucent aril. The seeds of five species (A. elliptica, A. odoratissima, A. speciosa, A. korthalsii and A. ganggo) are dispersed by primates (including Pongo pygmaeus, Hylobates lar, Presbytis melalophus and Macaca fasicularis) and one species (A. aff. elaeagnoidea) by a civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). Several species of squirrel feed on the seeds, but are thought not to be important dispersers. Published accounts suggest that pigeons (Columbidae) in West Malesia, and birds of paradise (Paradisaeidae) and cassowaries (Casuariidae) in Australasia, are also dispersal agents. The arils of six of these Aglaia species and four species belonging to other genera (Tabernaemontana macrocarpa, Zingiber sp., Lansium domesticum and Durio zibethinus) were analysed for lipids, carbohydrates and amino acids. A high lipid content (27-60% dry mass) was found in arils of the bird-dispersed Aglaia seeds, those of primate-dispersed species were lower in lipids and higher in free carbohydrates (reducing sugars and sucrose).

Authors: Pannell, CM; Koziol, MJ

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal Society
• Journal: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences
• Volume: 316
• Issue: 1178
• Pages: 303-333
• Publication date: 1987-08-28
• Acceptance date: 1985-09-09
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.1987.0029
• EISSN: 2054-0280
• ISSN: 0080-4622
• Language: English