@article {310450, title = {A Case Study of a Plant-Animal Relationship: Cola lizae and Lowland Gorillas in the Lope Reserve, Gabon}, volume = {7}, year = {1991}, month = {1991}, pages = {181-199}, abstract = {

The fruits of Cola lizae, an endemic tree with a limited geographical distribution, have been a major food source for lowland gorillas in the Lope Reserve during part of each year over a six-year period. Faecal analysis indicated that 11,000-18,000 Cola seeds km-2 were deposited by gorillas during the 4-month season in 1989. Gorillas are the only important dispersers of this species: other primates consume the succulent mesocarp, but do not swallow the large seed; elephants do not eat Cola fruits. Observations of Cola seeds in gorilla faeces showed a very high germination rate and, despite initial high mortality, 18\% of seedlings still survived six months after deposition. Survival of seedlings was significantly better in faeces left at nest-sites than in other areas of the forest: 40\% of seedlings were viable at nest-sites six months after deposition. This suggests that the open areas of forest, preferred by gorillas as nest-sites, are advantageous to the propagation of this species.

}, isbn = {02664674, 14697831}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2559566}, author = {Tutin, C. E. G. and Williamson, E. A. and Rogers, M. E. and Fernandez, M.} }