Fruit-frugivore interactions in a Malagasy littoral forest - Universiteit ...

Chapter 3
Besides testing feeding selection for each variable separately, we additionally aim to
understand which factors influence the diet of the different frugivores. According to the
final significant model of Eulemur fulvus collaris, growth form (F2, 120= 5.75, P=0.004) and
seed protection (F1 120=6.66, P=0.011) seem to determine most whether a fruit is eaten.
Their diet is characterised by fruits from large trees with a hard kernel (Table 5). For
Cheirogaleus spp. fruit length (F1, 115= 10.15, P=0.002) is the only significant determinant,
whereas for M. rufus this is seed length (F1, 109= 8.84, P=0.004). Obviously smaller fruits
and seeds determine the diet of both lemur species (Table 5). Conspicuous colours (F5,
89=3.25, P=0.009) and large fat contents (F1, 89= 6.33, P=0.013) determine whether
frugivore birds eat a certain fruit. Coracopsis nigra prefers odourless (F1, 128=6.54,
P=0.012) and small fruits (F1, 128= 6.45, P=0.012). Fat content (F1, 87= 6.97, P=0.009) and
seed length (F1, 87=15.11, P=0.0002) seem to determine the presence of fruits in the diet
of P. rufus. In particular fruits with low lipid content and small seed length are most
abundant. Finally, the diet of rodents is characterised by a significant interaction between
seed length and seed protection (F1, 114=5.73, P=0.018), indicating that large seeds,
which often have a hard kernel predominate their diet (Table 5). The goodness-of-fit of
the different model is significant (X²Efc=92.41; X²Ch=134.49; X²Mr=130.51; X²fb=82.85;
X²Cn=136.04; X²rod=128.19; P