Mammals as Seed-Dispersal Mutualists in North America

Abstract

A number of North American mammals are regular frugivores and seed dispersal vectors; the «carnivores» (particularly bears, procyonids, some mustelids and canids) are among the most important mammalian dispersal agents. Most genera of fleshy fruits are eaten by terrestrial mammals in North America, but few species are consumed only by mammals. The largely unstudied mutualism between fleshy-fruited plants and mammals in North America has important implications for the biology and conservation of both participants