
Seed dispersal is critical to the ecological performance of sexually reproducing plant species and the communities that they form. The Mammalian order Carnivora provide valuable and effective seed dispersal services but tend to be overlooked in much of the seed dispersal literature. Here we review the literature on the role of Carnivorans in seed dispersal, with a literature search in the Scopus reference database. Overall, we found that Carnivorans are prolific seed dispersers. Carnivorans’ diverse and plastic diets allow them to consume large volumes of over a hundred families of fruit and disperse large quantities of seeds across landscapes. Gut passage by these taxa generally has a neutral effect on seed viability. While the overall effect of Carnivorans on seed dispersal quality is complex, Carnivorans likely increase long-distance dispersal services that may aid the ability of some plant species to persist in the face of climate change.
Veterinary Medicine, 570, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology, carnivoran, Epidemiology, Evolution, Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology, Natural Resources and Conservation, QH359-425, frugivory, and Public Health, Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, QH540-549.5, 580, Population Biology, Ecology, carnivore, Natural Resources Management and Policy, Life Sciences, endozoochory, Other Veterinary Medicine, seed dispersal, Animal Sciences, Other Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Environmental Sciences
Veterinary Medicine, 570, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology, carnivoran, Epidemiology, Evolution, Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology, Natural Resources and Conservation, QH359-425, frugivory, and Public Health, Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, QH540-549.5, 580, Population Biology, Ecology, carnivore, Natural Resources Management and Policy, Life Sciences, endozoochory, Other Veterinary Medicine, seed dispersal, Animal Sciences, Other Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Environmental Sciences
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 42 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
