Birds as seed dispersers in deserts: suggestions from the ground-jays

Abstract The study of seed dispersal, biotic and even less, the role birds in it, have been almost neglected deserts. Virtually absent from literature on dispersal are ground-jays, genus Podoces , four species crow family that inhabit arid environments, true deserts, Iran to Mongolia. Although they omnivorous, seem mainly depend seeds desert plants during cold season. There suggestions sparse may contribute similarly several corvid other climates, by caching useful microsites save them for later consumption thus actually favoring germination fail recover. Future research might benefit comparison with vast their better-known seed-caching relatives. This paper is aimed at providing basic information each ground-jay some investigating likely symbiosis plants, possible applications maintenance restoration vegetation a very extended zone.