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ABRAHAMSON, W. G. AND C. R. ABRAHAMSON (Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837). Nutritional quality of animal dispersed fruits in Florida sandridge habitats. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 116: 215-228. 1989.-Fruit quality was examined by species, vegetation association, soil parameters, and time since fire. Of the nine species examined, Carya floridana fruits had the highest concentrations of energy, protein, fat, fiber, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc and had the highest digestibility. Acorns of the red oaks studied (Quercus myrtifolia, Q. inopina, Q. laevis) had higher energy and fat concentrations and greater total digestibility than acorns of the white oaks examined (Q. geminata, Q. minima, Q. chapmanii). Palmetto (Sabal etonia, Serenoa repens) drupes were high in fiber, ash, and concentrations of potassium, sulfur (Sabal etonia), and sodium (Serenoa repens). Fruit quality was not correlated with site soil characteristics. Although fruit quality changes correlated with time since fire in some species, the changes differed by species and vegetation association. During ripening, hickory fruits increased concentrations of protein and fat but decreased levels of energy and fiber. In contrast, acorns increased energy concentrations and the amounts of digestible carbohydrate. Palmetto fruits decreased in energy, protein, and fiber concentrations during ripening. These results are useful in understanding preferences among frugivorous animals. |
