Frugivory and seed dispersal of Ficus organensis (Moraceae) by birds in a Restinga Forest, Pelotas, RS. Seed dispersal by birds is important in neotropical ecosystems, plants need this mechanism and birds depend of this resource. The main frugivores feeding on Ficus organensis fruits were identified in this paper. Ficus organensis is a specie of great physionomic importance for Brazilian south region. This research was realized at Ecocamping Municipal de Pelotas, RS, that has a Wet Restinga Forest with anthropogenic impact. The observations were made during 50 hours, from November 2003 and Marco to May 2004. We recorded 15 species of birds, consuming fruits of F. organensis in 551 visits. Most birds were considered as potencial seed dispersers, because they swallowed at least some seeds within fruits. Therefore, the seeds could be eliminated far from conspecific adults. The main dispersers are from the family Turdidae; Turdus rufiventris, T. amaurochalinus and T. albicollis, due to the fact that they had swallowed the whole fruit and because they remained short time periods over the plants. Thus, F. organensis is food resource for birds, and they can play an important role in the regeneration of this important forest fragment.
