Seed dispersal of Annonaceae in the Bogor Botanical Gardens, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Handayani T. 2022. Seed dispersal of Annonaceae in the Bogor Botanical Gardens, Indonesia. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 8: 136-141. Seed dispersal is important for plants as an adaptation effort to maintain the existence of its species from extinction. Seeds that are spread far from the parent are expected to grow better because there is less competition for food and fewer environmental factors. The research reported in this paper aimed to determine the seed dispersal of the Annonaceae tribe has been carried out in the Bogor Botanical Gardens. The study used direct observation of the ten Gardens collection. Ten species of Annonaceae plant collections were used as observation. Fruit morphology, feeding behavior, and seed dispersal distance were observed with the naked eye. The results showed that the animal seed dispersers were birds, squirrels, civets and bats. The fruit of nine plant species is eaten and spread by birds. The seed of five plant species is dispersed by squirrels. The civet dispersed the seeds of two plant species. In addition, bats dispersed the seeds of five plant species. There are differences in feeding behavior and seed dispersal distance. The nearest distance in seed dispersal was carried out by squirrels, while the farthest distance was carried out by bats. Birds and squirrels eat the flesh of the fruit, whereas bats just eat the juice of the fruit, and civets eat both the fruit and its seeds.