Effects of latitude and plant relative abundance on predispersal granivory

We examined predispersal granivory in common and rare bird‐dispersed plants in two tropical and two temperate communities. Our results show that the prevalence and intensity of predispersal granivory are higher in tropical communities and for smaller seeds. Results also show no effect of plant species’ relative abundance on granivory. in Spanish is available with online material. Resumen Examinamos la granivoría pre‐dispersión en plantas comunes y raras dispersadas por aves en dos comunidades tropicales y dos templadas. Los resultados muestran que tanto la prevalencia como la intensidad de la granivoría pre‐dispersión son más altas en las comunidades tropicales y para especies de semillas pequeñas. Los resultados también muestran que la abundancia relativa de las especies de planta no tiene efecto sobre la granivoría. The prevalence and intensity of predispersal granivory are higher in tropical communities as compared to temperate ones. Adults and larvae of beetles (Coleoptera) were responsible for most predispersal granivory. Intriguingly, we did not find a relationship between the density of a plant species in a community, and the rates of predispersal granivory. Left panel: adult of a bruchiid beetle that just emerged from a fully‐formed unripe fruit of Citharexylum spinosum (Verbenaceae) in Puerto Rico. Left panels: beetle larvae found developing inside the endosperm of Cornus peruvianum (Cornaceae) in Peru.