Interações mutualísticas entre plantas e aves frugívoras no Parque Estadual Lago Azul, Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brasil

Abstract

Mutual interaction between birds and plant species is the initial step for seed dispersal and natural regeneration of the ecosystem. The systemic study of the mutualistic interactions serves as the basis for the accomplishment of adequate management and recovery of degraded areas in a more efficient way. The aim of this study was to survey bird species, survey and plant species during the fruiting season and record the avifauna - plant interactions occurring within certain areas of Parque Estadual Lago Azul, Campo Mourão - Luiziana, Paraná. The study was carried out between August of 2015 and September of 2016, with 192 hours dedicated to the observation of the interactions and 102 hours of observation of the avifauna, for the survey of the birds. There were 66 bird species, divided into 27 families, and 13 fruit species, divided into nine families. It was recorded 150 interactions of fruit consumption by birds, and seven events considered as predation. Some plant species promoted greater interaction with birds such as: Roystonea oleraceae (Imperial Palm), Phoenix roebelenii (miniature date palm), Persea americana (Avocado) and Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper). The birds: Turdus leucomelas, Turdus amaurochalinus, Mimus saturninus and Ramphastos dicolorus, stood out with more interactions. It was possible to observe that some exotic species such as Roystonea oleraceae and Phoenix roebelenii promoted many interactions, a fact that may become a future problem for the Conservation Unit.