Poster
Frugivory in Puerto Rican Anolis lizards and its possible effects on seed dispersal in tropical dry and moist forests on karst
Registro en:
Autor
Vega-Castillo, Sondra I.
Cuevas, Elvira
Institución
Resumen
Feeding is an important component in consumer-resource interactions of
population-community ecology and in energy and nutrient transfers of
ecosystems ecology (Bengtsson 1998). Food webs are used to describe the
complexity of feeding interactions. The level of omnivory of the members of an
ecosystem can influence food web dynamics, interspecific interactions, and
trophic structure (Morin and Lawler 1996, Polis and Strong 1996). Omnivory is
defined as feeding on more than one trophic level (Pimm and Lawton 1978).
Anolis lizards are the most abundant and conspicuous components of the
diurnal community in the Caribbean Islands, (Williams 1969). Although
considered strict insectivorous, some species add fruits to their diet (Herrel et
al. 2002). Given the uncertainty about the trophic ecology of anole lizards,
detailed studies about the level of omnivory/frugivory, trophic position, as well
as their role as dispersal agents it is necessary to comprehend the role of this
group in the dynamic and structure of food webs and in ecosystem function.
We present field observations and preliminary data about omnivory/frugivory of
Puerto Rican anole lizards. This data is part of the research being developed
to determine their degree of omnivory in Puerto Rico and their possible role as
seed dispersers in forests on karst with different ecohydrological dynamics.