Estrategias reproductivas de las Loranthaceae en el bosque subandino

Abstract

The relationship between twelve species of Loranthaceae (belonging to four different genera) with four species of Thraupidae and three of Tyrannidae (Class: Aves) and two of Formicidae (Class: Insecta) are studied. The Tyrannidae feed on the hypanthium contributing to the seed dispersion of Phthirusa pyrifolia, P. adunca and Oryctanthus alveolatus, whereas the Thraupidae ingest fruits of Dendrophthora sp. and Phoradendron spp. Atta laevigata (Formicidae) cuts and carries fruits of Phoradendron quadrangulare and Dolichoderus spp. (Formicidae) visits flowers of Phthirusa pyrifolia, P. adunca and Oryctanthus alveolatus.