A case study of a plant-animal relationship: Cola lizae and lowland gorillas in the Lope Reserve, Gabon

Citation

Tutin CEG, Williamson EA, Rogers ME & Fernandez M (1991) A case study of a plant-animal relationship: Cola lizae and lowland gorillas in the Lope Reserve, Gabon. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 7 (2), pp. 181-199. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=TRO; https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400005320

Abstract
The fruits of Cola lizae, an endemic tree with a limited geographical distribution, have been a major food source for lowland gorillas in the Lope Reserve during part of each year over a six-year period. Faecal analysis indicated that 11,000- 18,000 Cola seeds km-2 were deposited by gorillas during the 4- month season in 1989. Gorillas are the only important dispersers of this species: other primates consume the succulent mesocarp, but do not swallow the large seed; elephants do not eat Cola fruits. Observations of Cola seeds in gorilla faeces showed a very high germination rate and, despite initial high mortality, 18% of seedlings still survived six months after deposition. Survival of seedlings was significantly better in faeces left at nest-sites than in other areas of the forest: 40% of seedlings were viable at nest- sites six months after deposition. This suggests that the open areas of forest, preferred by gorillas as nest-sites, are advantageous to the propagation of this species.

Keywords
Gorilla gorilla; seed dispersal; Gorilla; Social behavior in animals; Animal nutrition; Seeds Dispersal

Journal
Journal of Tropical Ecology: Volume 7, Issue 2

People

Professor Liz Williamson

Honorary Professor, Psychology