Behavior of Hymenaea courbaril When Its Predispersal Seed Predator Is Absent

Abstract

Members of lowland Costa Rican forest populations of Hymenaea courbaril (Leguminosae) have longer intervals between seed crops, a later age at first reproduction, larger seed crops, and more resin in the pod walls than do the H. courbaril native to Puerto Rico. The primary predispersal seed predators of H. courbaril in Costa Rica, Rhinochenus spp., are absent from Puerto Rico, and it is postulated that this is a major cause of the interpopulation differences.