The palm squirrel in coconut plantations: ecosystem services by therophily
-
Akashay K. Chakravarthy
and
Nandipura E. Thyagaraj
Abstract
Palm squirrels, Funambulus palmarum, were believed and reported to inflict nut damage resulting in economic losses to coconut, Cocos nucifera, growers in South India. However, the current study, using field observations, pollination studies, gut content analyses, laboratory feeding tests, and exclusion experiments, established that Funambulus squirrels in cultivated coconut patches do not feed on nuts and hence do not generate economic losses. Squirrels cause male flower drop and feed on few male flowers without any negative impact on palm productivity or other aspects of the plantation ecosystem. Instead, squirrels pollinate (therophily) flowers, feed on insect pests, regulate vegetation at the microhabitat level as seed consumers and dispersers, and thus are an ecologically important component of cultivated coconut patches. Squirrels were found to be the most effective pollinators (85.70% nut formation in Arsikere and 94% at Madenur, Hassan). Fruit set was reduced by 19% when squirrels were prevented from pollinating coconut palms. Palm squirrel may also have myriad important roles to play in wild and cultivated patches in South India. Hence, the beneficial activities of F. palmarum must be sustained in cultivated coconut patches.
©2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Obituary
- In memoriam Francis Petter (28 July 1923–21 January 2012)
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- Distribution of extant xenarthrans (Mammalia: Xenarthra) in Argentina using species distribution models
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- Mapping the distribution of dholes, Cuon alpinus (Canidae, Carnivora), in Thailand
- The distribution and abundance of small mammals in agroecosystems of southeastern Brazil
- The palm squirrel in coconut plantations: ecosystem services by therophily
- Distribution, suitable areas and conservation status of the Felou gundi (Felovia vae Lataste 1886)
- Some observations on the granivorous feeding behavior preferences of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.)
- Short Notes
- Relation between reproduction and fat reserves in female muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
- Incursion of domestic carnivores around urban areas: a test in central Spain
- An extralimital record of the Egyptian tomb bat Taphozous perforatus from Pakistan
- Book reviews
- Book reviews
- Masthead
- Masthead
Articles in the same Issue
- Obituary
- In memoriam Francis Petter (28 July 1923–21 January 2012)
- Original Studies
- Distribution of extant xenarthrans (Mammalia: Xenarthra) in Argentina using species distribution models
- Timber plantations as favourite habitat for giant anteaters
- Distribution, population size, and structure of Himalayan grey goral Naemorhedus goral bedfordi (Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in Pakistan
- Grouping pattern of the goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in Kazakhstan
- Dental microwear texture analysis of extant African Bovidae
- Mapping the distribution of dholes, Cuon alpinus (Canidae, Carnivora), in Thailand
- The distribution and abundance of small mammals in agroecosystems of southeastern Brazil
- The palm squirrel in coconut plantations: ecosystem services by therophily
- Distribution, suitable areas and conservation status of the Felou gundi (Felovia vae Lataste 1886)
- Some observations on the granivorous feeding behavior preferences of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.)
- Short Notes
- Relation between reproduction and fat reserves in female muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
- Incursion of domestic carnivores around urban areas: a test in central Spain
- An extralimital record of the Egyptian tomb bat Taphozous perforatus from Pakistan
- Book reviews
- Book reviews
- Masthead
- Masthead
