Overlooked functional role of ruminants in large-seed dispersal: Evidence from seed germination experiments

1. The decline of megafauna has reduced dispersal of large‐seeded plants, threatening forest regeneration and ecosystem stability. Ruminants, being widespread and disturbance‐tolerant, can transport large seeds through regurgitation, yet the effectiveness of this overlooked pathway remains unclear.2. We tested the role of ruminant‐mediated regurgitation in seed dispersal by comparing germination of regurgitated, hand‐cleaned, and intact fruits from six tree species in a tropical reserve in Yunnan, China.3. Regurgitated seeds were consistently large and they were never found in ruminant feces, confirming that regurgitation is the primary pathway by which ruminants disperse large seeds. Regurgitated seeds of all species remained viable, with four species showing enhanced and accelerated germination relative to controls, while two species showed reduced and delayed germination, indicating variable but generally positive outcomes.4. Synthesis Our findings highlight that ruminant‐mediated regurgitation is a legitimate and effective dispersal pathway for large‐seeded plants. By enabling germination in multiple taxa, ruminants may compensate for the decline of megafaunal dispersers and thereby sustain forest regeneration and ecosystem resilience in defaunated landscapes.