Seed dispersal of Styrax japonica by Varied Tits Parus varius on Miyake-jima, Izu Islands

Hiroshi HASHIMOTO, Takashi KAMIJO and Hiroyoshi HIGUCHI

Abstract: Dispersal of Styrax japonica (a deciduous tree) seeds by Varied Tits Parus varius was observed on Miyake-jima, Izu Islands. Seven sample trees were monitored for 65-780 min. to examine seed consumption by birds. Varied Tits visited all the sample trees and carried off some of the fruits. The tits removed the toxic pulp and testae from the S. japonica fruits using their bills, and ate only the seed albumen. The tits stored some of the seeds close to the trees, but carried many others out of sight. Half of the stored seeds were placed on the ground, and these seeds presumably had a chance of germination, thus the Varied Tit may be an important seed disperser of S. japonica on Miyake-jima.

Key words: food storing, Parus varius, seed dispersal, Styrax japonica, toxic fruits

H. Hashimoto, T. Kamijo and H. Higuchi (2002) Seed dispersal of Styrax japonica by Varied tit,Parus varius on Miyake-jima Island of the Izu Islands. Japanese Journal of Ornithology 51: 101-107 (in Japanese with English abstract)