Seed dispersal by lizards in Chilean rainforest

Lizards (Liolaemus pictus) of the south-temperate rainforest of Chile eat fruits of Nertera granadensis, Relbunium hypocarpium, and occasionally other species. Seeds may be retained in the digestive tracts for several days. Nertera granadensis seeds that passed through lizard digestive tracts germinated more rapidly than untreated seeds. Thus, these lizards are capable of dispersing viable seeds of N. granadensis.