Dispersal and Characteristics of Myrceugenia euosma Fruit in Mixed Ombrophilous Forests, Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize aspects related to propagules dispersion of Myrceugenia euosma (Myrtaceae) in a fragment of Mixed Ombrophillous Forest, Urupema, SC. For this, twenty-nine seed tree were evaluated for focal observation of visitors, propagules rain, removal and characterization of fruits. We recorded 140 visits of birds, occurring without preferential visit period. The species with higher visiting frequency and consumption of fruits were Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-collared Sparrow) and Stephanophorus diadematus (Diademed Tanager), considered as potential dispersers. The frequency of collectors containing M. euosma propagules decreased with increased distance, presenting distinct behavior depending the type of propagule evaluated. We also found intact seeds in bird feces inside the collectors. The removal rate of fruits deposited on the ground was 22%, demonstrating that this is an important topic on the dispersal process and deserves attention in future studies.