Record of Predation on the Fruits and Seeds of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of the biology of invasive plants is identifying the predators and dispersers of their fruits and seeds. We report the predation of fruits and seeds of the non-native and invasive tree species Spathodea campanulata by the Central American squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides), the white-fronted parrot (Amazona albifrons), and the lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) on the Ciudad Universitaria campus of the National Autonomous University of Honduras and in the Kennedy neighborhood, Tegucigalpa. S. variegatoides has been observed consuming the exocarp of immature fruit and seeds, while S. psaltria and A. albifrons consume only the seeds. The predation of diaspores of non-native invasive plants is important for their evaluation and management, as well as for expanding information on the diet of the studied species.