Data from: Inter-group variability in seed dispersal by white-handed gibbons in mosaic forest

Seed dispersers, like white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar), can display
wide inter-group variability in response to distribution and abundance of
resources in their habitat. In different home ranges, they can modify
their movement patterns along with the shape and scale of seed shadow
produced. However, the effect of inter-group variability on the
destination of dispersed seeds is still poorly explained. In this study,
we evaluate how seed dispersal patterns of this arboreal territorial
frugivore varies between two neighboring groups, one inhabiting high
quality evergreen forest and one inhabiting low quality mosaic forest. We
predicted a difference in seed dispersal distance between the two groups
(longer in the poor quality forest). We hypothesized that this difference
would be explained by differences in home range size, daily path length,
and ranging tortuosity. After 6 months of data collection, the evergreen
group had a smaller home range (12.4 ha) than the mosaic group (20.9 ha),
significantly longer daily path lengths (1507 m vs. 1114 m respectively)
and greater tortuosity (39.1 vs. 16.1 respectively). Using gut passage
times and displacement rates, we estimated the median seed dispersal
distance as 163 m for the evergreen group (high quality forest) and of 116
m for the mosaic group (low quality forest). This contradiction with our
initial prediction can be explained in term of social context, resource
distribution, and habitat quality. Our results indicate that gibbons are
dispersers of seeds between habitats and that dispersal distances provided
by gibbons are influenced by a range of factors, including habitat and
social context.