Juniperus phoenicea’s power of responding to ingestion by potential frugivores in the Central Saharan Atlas (semi-arid) - Algeria

Ahlame, Benabderrahmane,; Safia, Belhadj,; Belkacem, Daoudi,

doi:10.21608/eajbsc.2022.275291

Juniperus phoenicea’s power of responding to ingestion by potential frugivores in the Central Saharan Atlas (semi-arid) - Algeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Research Laboratory: Exploration and Valorization of Steppe Ecosystems (EVES), SNV Faculty, Ziane Achour University of Djelfa, Algeria.

² Faculty of Nature and life Sciences. Ziane Achour University of Djelfa, Algeria

³ Plant Biodiversity conservation and valorization Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Djillali-Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbes, 22000, Algeria.

10.21608/eajbsc.2022.275291

Abstract

Our study goal is to ascertain the effects of Juniperus phoenicea seed passage, through potential frugivores' digestive tubes, on their germination behavior in the central Saharan Atlas of Algeria.
The methodology adopted entails comparing germination findings of ingested seeds of Juniperus phoenicea by the frugivores, in this case: Ring Ouzels, Wild Boar, Common Genet, Golden Wolf of Africa, red fox, and Shaw’s Jird to those of seeds not ingested.
The main findings demonstrate that frugivores' ingestion of Juniperus phoenicea seeds does not favorably affect their germination rates. Nonetheless, the seeds ingested by Ring Ouzels provide close results to those of the control, which oscillate by 60%. Also, a notable decrease has been recorded in the batches of the wild boar and the carnivores. The five (05) batches of Shaw’s Jird, on the other hand, show a low to no germination rate.
Furthermore, a significant modification of Juniperus phoenicea germination pattern is observed after the ingestion of the seeds; not only delaying the latent germination time by a few days but also slowing down the speed of germination. These alterations are unique to each frugivores and such diversity may have a favorable impact on the effectiveness of Juniperus phoenicea dispersal.

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