Replication data for: Shifting from seed predator to seed disperser in the Picazuro Pigeon: Insights from an urbanized area

<p>Frugivory supports seed dispersal and the reproductive success of various plants. Environmental degradation can lead to the local extinction of medium and large frugivores, jeopardizing this process. The picazuro pigeon (<em>Patagioenas picazuro</em>), typically associated with open and semi-open areas in Brazil, was mainly considered granivorous until the late 20th century but is now recognized as a frugivore or granivore-frugivore. In this study, we assessed its frugivorous diet and role as a seed disperser by collecting seeds from fecal samples on the Unicamp campus and analyzing the condition of the seeds after passing through the digestive tract of <em>P. picazuro</em>. We found 45 plant species in its feces, including <em>Cordia myxa</em>, <em>Solanum americanum</em>, <em>Solanum granuloso-leprosum</em>, and <em>Cytharexyllum myrianthum</em>. While <em>Solanum americanum</em> and <em>Solanum granuloso-leprosum</em> had germination rates of 63% and 28%, respectively, <em>Cordia myxa</em> and <em>Cytharexyllum myrianthum</em> did not germinate. Thus, <em>P. picazuro</em> plays a relevant ecological role as an occasional frugivore in semi-open and anthropized environments in southeastern and southern Brazil.</p>

食果行为支撑种子传播与多种植物的繁殖成功。环境退化可引发中型与大型食果动物的局地灭绝，进而危及该生态过程。皮查罗鸽（*Patagioenas picazuro*）通常栖息于巴西的开阔与半开阔生境，直至20世纪末均被主要归类为食谷动物，如今则被认定为食果动物或食谷-食果兼性动物。本研究通过在坎皮纳斯州立大学（Unicamp）校园内采集粪便样本中的种子，并分析经*P. picazuro*消化道后的种子状态，评估了该物种的食果食谱及其作为种子传播者的生态功能。研究团队在其粪便样本中共检出45种植物，包括破布木（*Cordia myxa*）、美洲龙葵（*Solanum americanum*）、粒屑茄（*Solanum granuloso-leprosum*）以及*Cytharexyllum myrianthum*。其中美洲龙葵与粒屑茄的种子萌发率分别为63%与28%，而破布木与*Cytharexyllum myrianthum*的种子均未萌发。综上，*P. picazuro*作为偶发性食果动物，在巴西东南部与南部的半开阔及人为干扰生境中发挥着重要的生态作用。