| Abstrakt: |
As part of the processing of fleshy fruits, many frugivores remove pulp from seeds by external handling or internal processing in the digestive system. External processing was simulated for five fleshy-fruited, non-native invasive trees in Hawaii through manual removal of pulp from seeds. Species used were coralberry (Ardisia crenata), green cestrum (Cestrum nocturnum), Padang cassia (Cinnamomum burmannii), fiddlewood (Citharexylum caudatum) and Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius). Depulping of fruits significantly increased seed germination over all species. Mean germination of de-pulped fruits of coralberry, green cestrum, Padang cassia, fiddlewood, and Brazilian peppertree was, on average 72, 37, 47, 18 and 17% greater compared with pulped fruits. In general, de-pulped fruits germinate faster compared with pulped fruits. Mean germination rate index (50%) for coralberry, green cestrum, Padang cassia, and Brazilian peppertree was faster by 26.7, 64.1, 19.5 and 44.3% compared with pulped fruits. The germination rate of de-pulped fruits of fiddlewood was slower by 4% compared with pulped fruits. These results suggest that frugivores may facilitate establishment of fleshy-fruited invasive plants not only through dispersal, but also through seed processing that ultimately enhances seed germination and reduces germination time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
