Abstract

We monitored fruit consumption by Culpeo foxes (Pseudalopex culpaeus) during 19 months, and studied their role as potential seed dispersers of pimiento (Schinus molle) in Fray Jorge National Park. The foxes ate a very low diversity of fruits in relation to field availability, thus suggesting a selective consumption. The greatest levels of frugivory (the largest percentage of feces with fruits and highest mean number of fruits in feces) were found when the density of their major prey item (small mammals) decreased below 10 individuals/ha. With regard to seed dispersal, our results show that foxes (i) do not reduce seed viability, (ii) the passage of seed through the fox's gut increases its probability of germination in lab assays, and (iii) defecate seeds in microsites where successful establisment of seedlings is possible.