Fruiting phenology and avian frugivory on Lantana camara in a mixed dry deciduous forest, Western Ghats, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

This paper describes the fruiting phenology and avian frugivory of an exotic shrub Lantana camara L. - Verbenaceae) in a mixed dry deciduous forest, Anaikatty hills, Western Ghats. The fruiting season was recorded during May, June, July, August and September. Eleven species of birds were found to feed on the ripe fruits of L. camara. Majority of the fruit foraging visits were made by bulbuls (3 species) followed by Myna (2 species). Bulbuls and mynas appear to be the predominant seed dispersers of L. camara