Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) seed predators

Download
(PDF; 1.0 MB)
Cite
Feedback

Abstract

Pondberry is an endangered, dioecious, deciduous shrub that grows in periodically flooded forests of the southeastern United States of America. Pondbeny is a clonal plant. Each female stem grows up to two meters tall and may produce many red drupes. The probability of dispersed seeds to survive to germination and beyond is unknown in the species. For this study, six locations were chosen in or near the Delta National Forest, Sharkey County, MS, USA. At each location, a one-meter-square plot was established and cleared of forest floor material. Inside the larger plot, a 3O-cm square was defined and 25 pondberry seeds were arranged on the soil surface. Video cameras with infrared illumination were set up to monitor animal visitors to the seed plots. Each camera was attached to a video recorder and the batteries and videotape for the camera were exchanged twice weekly and the pondberry seeds were recounted. The animals identified as possible pondberry seed predators were the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis),Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma nifum), Swamp Rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.), Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus) and Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

  • Citation: Abilio, Fernanda Maria; Smith, Carl, III; Tidwell, Colin; Hamel, Paul; Devall, Margaret; Leininger, Ted. 2008. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) seed predators. In: IV Congreso Forestal Latinoamerleano. Merida, Venezuela. 2 - 5 abril 2008. 1-8.
  • Keywords: Pondberry, Lindera melissifolia, seed predators
  • Posted Date: December 17, 2008
  • Modified Date: February 10, 2021

    • Print Publications Are No Longer Available

    In an ongoing effort to be fiscally responsible, the Southern Research Station (SRS) will no longer produce and distribute hard copies of our publications. Many SRS publications are available at cost via the Government Printing Office (GPO). Electronic versions of publications may be downloaded, printed, and distributed.

    Publication Notes

    • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
    • Our online publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact the SRS webmaster if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable.
    • To view this article, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.