animaldispersed

Animal-dispersed refers to the movement of plant propagules, especially seeds, by animals. It is a central component of zoochory, the broader suite of interactions where animals help plants disperse offspring to new locations, away from the parent plant.

Dispersal by animals occurs through several pathways. Endozoochory involves animals eating fruits or seeds and later excreting intact seeds at a different site, often with pulp removal and gut passage that can enhance germination. Epizoochory describes seeds or fruits attaching to fur, feathers, or skin and being carried to new areas before detaching. A specialized form is myrmecochory, where ants are attracted to nutrient-rich structures called elaiosomes; ants transport the seeds to their nests and discard the remaining seed, aiding dispersal.

Animals that disperse seeds include birds that swallow fleshy fruits, mammals such as bears, primates, and rodents, and invertebrates like ants. Fruit traits such as color, scent, and nutritional content evolve to attract particular dispersers. In turn, dispersers obtain food or other benefits. The seeds may be deposited in resource-rich or nutrient-poor sites, and some may germinate better after passage through a digestive tract or after being cached away from the parent plant.

Ecologically, animal dispersal promotes gene flow, reduces density-dependent risks near adult plants, and facilitates colonization of new habitats. It is affected by animal behavior, environmental conditions, and habitat fragmentation. Conserving disperser species and their habitats supports plant regeneration and community dynamics, illustrating the interdependence of fauna and flora.