list of figures - Terry Sunderland

1 for further elaboration). The leaflets of certain species of rattan are also consumed
by primates. In particular, Williamson, et al., (1990) record how gorillas in the Lopé
reserve in Gabon have been seen to “process” the leaflets of Eremospatha cabrae, by
“pulling the leaflets through the teeth, leaving the ribs behind”. The young leaves of
Eremospatha haullevilleana are also eaten by gorillas, albeit whole (Yumoto et al.,
1994). Many informants I have worked with state that the young, delicate spear leaf of
Oncocalamus tuleyi and O. mannii, is also reported to be consumed by primates,
particularly chimpanzees.
4.3 SEED DISPERSAL
Aside from destructive herbivory, animals also play an important role is the dispersal
of the seeds of many rattan species. The baccate fruits of the taxa of African rattan,
some of which can be somewhat sweet-tasting, suggests that they are animal and avian
dispersed and it is clear that many animals, both mammal and avian, play a role in the
distribution of rattan (Corner, 1966).
Elephants are known to consume vast quantities of rattan seed when they are mature
and will consume mature fruits falling to the ground. Elephants will also drag
individual fruiting stems from the canopy to retrieve the developing fruits. Initial
observations suggest that elephant consumption of rattan fruit result in the least
amount of damage to the ingested seed. In the Korup National Park, Cameroon, I have
found large quantities of Laccosperma seed in fresh elephant spore, none of which
were physically damaged by this consumption and exhibited normal germination
when sown. In areas with high concentrations of elephants, such as the Takamanda
Forest Reserve in Cameroon, large areas of even-aged Laccosperma secundiflorum
individuals, reaching the end of their establishment phase, have been observed
occurring in high concentrations (author pers. obs.). This is a relatively uncommon
occurrence and, given the nature of dispersal, it is more common that for most rattan
species the number of individuals in a given area is relatively low. The congregation
of high numbers of elephants in Takamanda occurs during the rainy season (June-
August) when the fruits of bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) mature and fall to the
ground in large quantities. Aside from being harvested by local people, elephants also
5 Sunderland collection number 1903; the larva was collected in spirit for later identification.
198