This study aimed to evaluate the differences between propagule dispersal syndromes of woody species in secondary and mature submountaine ombrophilous forests in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The hypothesis is that secondary forests will show lower richness and density of woody species with biotic seed dispersal modes (zoocory). Lists of seven secondary and five mature forests were used. The averages of the proportions of biotic modes between secondary and mature forests were compared through U test. Secondary and mature forests differed statistically in richness and density of biotic species (P < 0.01). These proportions were lower in the secondary forests, according to the hypothesis. Secondary forests also showed a decrease in the density of zoocoric species dispersed by large vertebrates, belonging to Lauraceae, Myrtaceae e Sapotaceae. Further management and conservation practices in these secondary forests must need incorporate the plant-dispersers interactions, due to risks in the forest regeneration process without the adequate dispersal fauna.
Atlantic Forest; Seed dispersal and Zoocory
