FRUGIVORY AND SEED DISPERSAL BY THE HELMETED MANAKIN (ANTILOPHIA GALEATA) IN FORESTS OF BRAZILIAN CERRADO

The Helmeted Manakin (Antilophia galeata) is a frugivorous bird of the Pipridae family and has been registered as a good seed disperser for several plants species from Cerrado. This study is aimed to determine the feeding behavior of the Helmeted Manakin in order to evaluate its potential as a seed disperser in three forests fragments. We registered the fruits consumption, the capture techniques, the time, the number of consumed fruits, and the fruit species. Captures with mist nest were used to analyze defecated material. We recorded 16 plants species (Rubiaceae and Melastomataceae were the most representatives families). Taking fruits on flying were more used, being consumed 3.86 +/- 1.52 fruits per minute in each visit and 88% of the registers, the fruits were fully swallowed. In fecal samples, we identified three morphotypes of seeds. These results allow us to propose the Helmeted Manakin as an important species in frugivore-plant interaction and in the seed dispersal. Accepted 5 February 2011.