Seed dispersal by serrated tortoises (Psammobates Oculiferus) and the effect of their gut passage on seed germination
Journal Title: Scientific Journal of Animal Science - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 10
Abstract
Some tortoises are frugivores and can disperse seeds away from the parent plant to areas favourable for their establishments through gut passage. We investigated the plant species dispersed by the serrated tortoise (Psammobates oculiferus) in the wild, the effect of gut passage on the germination percentage and the retention time of the ingested food. The tortoises used in the study were captured in the non-wildlife protected areas of Botswana and were kept at the animals’ outdoor enclosure at Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA), where experiments were conducted. Faeces of tortoises passed out before being fed in captivity were collected and analysed for the presence of seeds which were later identified at BCA herbarium. At BCA, the tortoises were maintained on indigenous vegetation and supplemented on various fruits and vegetables. The gut passed seeds, seeds extracted directly from fruits as well as the whole fruits were planted at the end of the experiment and number of germinated seeds recorded daily. The food retention time was recorded. The tortoises dispersed Grewia flavescence in the wild. Gut passage significantly enhanced germination percentage of tomatoes while the food retention time ranged from three to seven days. This study demonstrates the importance of tortoises in the ecosystem.
Authors and Affiliations
M. R. Setlalekgomo*| Department of Basic Sciences, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana., K. Sesinyi| Department of Basic Sciences, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP702
- DOI 10.14196/sjas.v3i10.1720
- Views 451
- Downloads 24
Ameliorative effect of zinc supplementation to lead exposed goat kids on immune status
In vivo studies were conducted to observe the adverse effects of lead and protective effect of zinc on lymphocyte proliferation and total immunoglobulins (Ig) concentration in eighteen crossbred (Alpine x Beetal) male...
Morphobiometrical diversity of the indigenous chicken’s population in the Sudano - sahelian zone of Cameroon
Studies were undertaken at rural, peri-urban and urban areas of the Sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone of Cameroon to describe the variations in physical characters and some important feather and skin mutations observe...
Anatomy of the cervix in farahani breed ewes and lambs
The sheep cervix has numerous and divers rings that reduce lambing rates after artificial insemination in sheep. There is high diversity between sheep breeds in cervix structure. In this study we considered the anatomy...
Polymorphisms of Tyrosinase gene (Exon 1) and its impact on coat color and phenotypic measurements of Sudanese Camel Bre
The objectives of the present study were the detection of allelic variants of tyrosinase (TYR) gene (Exon 1) in six Sudanese camel breeds (Kenani, Lahwee, Rashaidi, Anafi, Bishari and Kabbashi) and afford the chance of...
Performance of Sokoto Gudali heifers under different tick control measures in Ibadan
In a study conducted to investigate the effects of regular application of cypermethrin on animal or pasture, sixteen Sokoto Gudali heifers were subjected to the following treatments: no treatment (NT); treatment on ani...