Influence of faeces on seed removal from gibbon droppings in a dipterocarp forest in Central Borneo

Many frugivorous animals disperse seeds in their faeces (Corlett 1998, van der Pijl 1982), which may enhance the ability of secondary seed dispersers and post-dispersal seed predators to locate seeds (Andresen 2001, Chapman 1989, Feer 1999, Janzen 1982). By destroying and moving seeds these animals can radically alter the primary seed shadows generated by frugivorous animals and, consequently, have the potential to influence plant recruitment (Alcántara et al. 2000, Crawley 1992). Nevertheless, the influence of faeces on seed removal in South-East Asian forests has not previously been investigated and our knowledge currently comes from studies in Neotropical forests (Andresen 2001, Chapman 1989, Feer 1999, Janzen 1982). There were two main aims: (1) to determine if faeces enhances the location of seeds; (2) to identify some ofthe animal groups responsible for seed removal. Dung beetles were the most frequently observedanimal associated with removal of faeces (Figure2) andregardless of time of day they were the first animalsseen to arrive at the droppings and were not recordedafter 4 h. However, dung beetles only removed oneseed. Ants were also seen removing faeces, includingan entire pile at 168h. Vertebrate prints were recordedbetween 18h00 and 06h00. Pig and civet prints wereassociated with faecal removal, but usually this involvedthe removal of seeds as well.