Guava is primarily dispersed by birds and mammals.
Mechanisms of Guava Seed Dispersal
The seeds of guava, a fruit from the Psidium genus, are effectively dispersed by various animals. These animals are attracted to the fruit's characteristics, which include being fleshy berries, having a strong sweet scent, and being externally yellow or green.
According to research (Gressler et al., 2006; Torres and Gutiérrez, 2018), the main dispersers of guava seeds are:
- Birds: Birds consume the fruit and later excrete the seeds, often far from the parent plant.
- Mammals: A variety of mammals also play a crucial role in dispersing guava seeds. Examples of effective mammalian dispersers include:
- Bats
- Monkeys
- Ungulates (hoofed mammals)
- Marsupials
These animals consume the fruit, and the seeds pass through their digestive systems, aiding in dispersal when deposited elsewhere. This animal-mediated dispersal is a key factor in the spread of guava plants.
