Abstract We determined the consumption of fruits and estimated potential seed dispersal of a canid community in semi-arid ecosystems of South Africa by comparing diets, defecation sites, densities and potential seed shadows of cape foxes (Vulpes chama), bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) and black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) on Benfontein and Rooipoort nature reserves. On Benfontein, all canid species consumed the fruit of Diospyros lycioides throughout the year. Jackals, but neither fox species, consumed relatively large amounts of Prosopis spp. (mesquite), an alien invasive. On Rooipoort, jackals had relatively high consumption of Ziziphus mucronata, followed by Grewia flava and D. lycioides. Bat-eared foxes had high consumption of fruit per area, although their seed dispersal potential was low due to their small potential seed shadow and poor germination sites. Cape foxes had the largest potential seed shadow, but their seed dispersal potential was low because of low fruit consumption, low density, and poor germination sites. Jackals had the highest seed dispersal potential because they consumed the most fruit species, had moderate densities, a relatively large potential seed shadow, and mostly good germination sites. We conclude that seed dispersal potential of South African canids, especially jackals, is more significant than previously known.

中文翻译：

---

南非半干旱栖息地豺和狐狸的种子传播潜力

摘要 我们通过比较角狐 (Vulpes chama)、蝙蝠耳狐 (Otocyon) 的饮食、排便地点、密度和潜在种子阴影，确定了南非半干旱生态系统中犬科动物群落的水果消耗量和潜在种子传播。 megalotis) 和黑背豺狼 (Canis mesomelas) 在 Benfontein 和 Rooipoort 自然保护区。在本方丹，所有犬科动物全年都吃柿子的果实。豺，但都不是狐狸，消耗了相对大量的 Prosopis spp。（豆科植物），一种外来入侵者。在 Rooipoort，豺狼对 Ziziphus mucronata 的摄入量相对较高，其次是 Grewia flava 和 D. lycioides。蝙蝠耳狐在单位面积上的水果消耗量很高，尽管它们的种子传播潜力低，因为它们的潜在种子阴影小和发芽地点差。角狐具有最大的潜在种子阴影，但由于果实消耗量低、密度低和发芽地点差，它们的种子传播潜力较低。豺狼具有最高的种子传播潜力，因为它们消耗的水果种类最多，密度适中，潜在的种子阴影相对较大，并且大多是良好的发芽地点。我们得出的结论是，南非犬科动物，尤其是胡狼的种子传播潜力比以前已知的更重要。豺狼具有最高的种子传播潜力，因为它们消耗的水果种类最多，密度适中，潜在的种子阴影相对较大，并且大多是良好的发芽地点。我们得出的结论是，南非犬科动物，尤其是胡狼的种子传播潜力比以前已知的更重要。豺狼具有最高的种子传播潜力，因为它们消耗的水果种类最多，密度适中，潜在的种子阴影相对较大，并且大多是良好的发芽地点。我们得出的结论是，南非犬科动物，尤其是胡狼的种子传播潜力比以前已知的更重要。