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Le rôle potentiel du Leiothrix jaune Leiothrix lutea dans la germination de plantes envahissantes à la Réunion (Océan Indien)

Tassin J., Rivière J.N.. 2001. Alauda, 69 (3) : p. 34-41.

The new established Pekin Robin (Leiothrix lutea) on Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) is Supposed to favour seed dispersion of fleshy-fruited plant invaders. For three main plant invaders which produce fruits in winter, we tested the germination effect of the ingestion of fruits. Germination rates were compared with control seed lots after 20 and 50 days. No significant effect was recorded for Psidium cattleianum. The efficience of ingestion on germination was very significant (p < 0.01) for Heclychium gardnerianum and significant (p < 0.05) for Ligustrum robustum after less than three days of cold storage. Germination rate of the control lot is low (1.0%) after 50 days but rises between 11.3 and 16.8% after ingestion, depending of the duration of cold storage. For 1. robustum, the germination rate of the control lot stands to 9.3% after 50 days but rises to 22.0% (p < 0.001) after one day of cold storage. The effect of ingestion is globally decreasing with the duration of cold storage, in relation with a dormance induction. Subject to a sufficient mobility (which has not been studied on Reunion Island), Robin Pekin is an efficient candidate for dispersion of H. gardnerianum and L. robustum in pristine forest areas. The positive effect of ingestion on germination is higher for fresh fruits, less exposed to low temperatures.

Mots-clés : épiphyte; germination; dissémination des graines; oiseau; plante nuisible; la réunion; france

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