Smile, you are on camera or in a live trap! The role of mammals in dispersion of jackfruit and native seeds in Ilha Grande State Park, Brazil

Mammals in Ilha Grande State Park, Brazil, play both positive and negative roles in seed dispersal, significantly aiding the spread of invasive jackfruit trees while also dispersing native seeds. The study found that six mammal species, particularly Trinomys dimidiatus, Didelphis aurita, and Cuniculus paca, accounted for 92% of jackfruit predation and seed dispersal records. While Cuniculus paca and Trinomys dimidiatus dispersed both jackfruit seeds and native seeds, Didelphis aurita consumed only the mesocarp of jackfruit, contributing to its spread without aiding in seed dispersal. The research used video recordings and faecal analysis to observe that jackfruit production can exceed mammals' consumption capacity in high-density areas, leading to unchecked invasive spread. Additionally, small mammals dispersed more native seeds in areas without jackfruits, highlighting the complex interplay between invasive species and native ecosystems.

Raíces, D. S. L., Ferreira, P. M., Mello, J. H. F., Bergallo, H. G.,. (2017). Smile, you are on camera or in a live trap! The role of mammals in dispersion of jackfruit and native seeds in Ilha Grande State Park, Brazil. Nature Conservation Research, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2017.045