Abstract Endozoochory refers to the ingestion of fruits by animals and their release through faeces as it plays an important role in maintaining ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cumbaru fruit ingestion by tapirs on cumbaru seed germination. In latrines, fruits ingested and excreted by the animals were collected among tapir faeces. The collected material was taken to the laboratory and placed in a germination chamber and greenhouse. Fruit ingestion and its subsequent defection propitiated a higher germination rate and germination vigor compared to non-ingested fruit grown in a germination chamber and greenhouse. The results in the greenhouse showed that the latrines (decomposing organic matter) have different thermal conditions (higher temperature), in relation to the external environment, which probably accelerated the germination processes. Evaluation of seedlings grown in a greenhouse and germination chamber indicated that growth in the greenhouse was better due to humic and fulvic acids, which are common stimulants of seed germination and seedling growth. Therefore, tapirs can be considered good fruit dispersers and inducers of cumbaru seeds germination.

Abstract Knowledge of environmental conditions for seed germination and seedling formation of forest species is essential. The objective of this work is to evaluate the germination of Callisthene major seeds under laboratory conditions using six different temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35, 20-30 and 25-35 °C) and germitest paper (on and between paper). A completely randomized design was used with four replicates of 25 seeds per experimental unit. The variables evaluated were germination (%), germination speed index (GSI), average germination time (AGT) in days and normal seedlings. The results indicated that the species has a high germination index (above 94%) for all tested substrates and temperatures; however, the highest germination vigor (GSI and AGT) was obtained by alternating the temperature between 25-35 °C with the substrate on paper.