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Intra‐ and Interhabitat Variations in Guazuma ulmifolia (Sterculiaceae) Seed Predation by Amblycerus Cistelinus (Bruchidae) in Costa Rica
Author(s) -
Janzen Daniel H.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936314
Subject(s) - predation , biology , seed predation , ecology , deciduous , habitat , predator , riparian forest , riparian zone , population , biological dispersal , demography , seed dispersal , sociology
The severity of seed predation of Guazuma ulmifolia (Sterculiaceae) by the beetle Amblycerus cistelinus (Bruchidae) ranges from 12% to 42% (averages of 13—31 seed crops at each site) in a series of progressively drier habitats ranging from extremely dry deciduous to semievergreen riparian moist forest in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Within a site, the range of seed predation per individual's tree's crop is from 2%—22% at he driest site, to 7%—75% at the wettest site. These extreme ranges emphasize that seed predation records on single seed crops must be evaluated with care and that seed predation by one species of host—specific predator may vary strongly among habitats. No parasitoids of A. cistelinus were found in a total of 23,285 fruits of g. ulmifolia.