Animal seed dispersal is one of the most common plant-animal mutualisms in nature and plays an important role in plant distribution. Yet little is known about seed dispersal by reptiles. In this research, we investigated the role of the eastern box turtle as a seed dispersal agent in subtropical pine forests of the Lower Florida Keys. We searched for box turtles in pine rockland on Big Pine Key during 1999 to 2001. We returned captured turtles to the lab for one day and collected their feces. Seeds of 9 species were recovered from the feces, all of which have fleshy fruits and are capable of germination. Comparative germination experiments were conducted for up to two years with seeds of three prevalent species found in the turtle feces. Passage through the box turtle gut greatly enhanced the germination rate and percentage of Serenoa repens, but decreased the percent germination of Byrsonima lucida and Thrinax morrisii. Subsequent destructive seed viability tests showed that up to 60% of the ungerminated seeds were still viable, suggesting long-term seed dormancy, even after passing through the turtle digestive system. Removal of fleshy pulp by the turtle digestive system seems to provide an escape from seed predation for seeds of Thrinax morrsii.

Key words: Serenoa repens, Thrinax morrisii, Byrsonima lucida, Florida Keys, seed dispersal, seed predation, Terrapene carolina