Burrowing Parrots Cyanoliseus patagonus as Long-Distance Seed Dispersers of Keystone Algarrobos, Genus Prosopis, in the Monte Desert

Understanding of ecosystem structure and functioning requires detailed knowledge about plant–animal interactions, especially when keystone species are involved. The recent consideration parrots as legitimate seed dispersers has widened the range mechanisms influencing life cycle many plant species. We examined interactions between burrowing parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus two dominant algarrobo trees (Prosopis alba Prosopis nigra) in Monte Desert, Argentina. recorded abundance foraging behaviour parrots; quantified handling, consumption, wasting, dispersal ripe unripe pods; tested viability soft hard seeds wasted transported by parrots. found a high They predated on from pods while exclusively feeding upon pulp wrapping pods. Frequent pod wasting beneath or transport at distance invariably implied multiple each event. Moreover, retained after desiccation outside mother plant, suggesting effective partial predation due to predator satiation effect. In half flocks, least one departed flight with its beak, 10–34% flock components moving distances averaging 238 m (P. alba) 418 nigra). A snapshot sampling faeces livestock wild mammals suggested low frequency endozoochory secondary ants dung beetles. nomadic movements long flights breeding sites can lead huge amounts across large areas that sequentially exploited. Further research should evaluate role functionally unique Desert woods genetic