Ganzhorn J.U. auteur aut IRD Andriambeloson J.B. auteur aut IRD Atsalis S. auteur aut IRD Behrendt L.M. auteur aut IRD Blanco M.B. auteur aut IRD Bollen A. auteur aut IRD Carrière Stéphanie M. auteur aut IRD Chikhi L. auteur aut IRD Dammhahn M. auteur aut IRD Donati G. auteur aut IRD Eppley T.M. auteur aut IRD Ernest R. auteur aut IRD Giertz P. auteur aut IRD Goodman S.M. auteur aut IRD Hending D. auteur aut IRD Holst F. auteur aut IRD Hyde Roberts S. auteur aut IRD Irwin M.T. auteur aut IRD Lahann P. auteur aut IRD Jr E.E.L. auteur aut IRD Radespiel U. auteur aut IRD Rakotondranary S.J. auteur aut IRD Ramanamanjato J.B. auteur aut IRD Ramananjato V. auteur aut IRD Randriatafika F. auteur aut IRD Ratovonamana Y.R. auteur aut IRD Razafindratsima O.H. auteur aut IRD Salmona Jordi auteur aut IRD Schwab D. auteur aut IRD Tsagnangaran C. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access The concept of 'facilitated restoration' aims at native biodiversity reinstatement with the help of animal seed dispersers attracted by fruiting trees. Yet, large-crowned trees will have to develop in the early stages of restoration; therefore, seed dispersal provided by small generalist mammals and birds that use rapidly growing herbs, shrubs, and small trees at early stages of forest succession would accelerate biodiversity restoration. Due to the elusive lifestyle of these small animals, it is unclear what species can contribute to the early stages of this process. Using the primate genus Microcebus (adult body mass about 60 g) as an example, we illustrate that these small generalists are possible seed dispersers in the early stages of forest restoration, not yet used by larger frugivores. We show that Microcebus spp. dispersed more seeds from herbs, shrubs, and small trees than large frugivorous primate species. These plants tend to have smaller seeds than large tree species and are often pioneer species not considered in forest restoration projects. Facilitating the colonization of restoration plots by generalist small seed dispersers that use shrubby habitats may improve plant diversity by adding a more natural sequence of successional stages towards mature forests in Madagascar and elsewhere in the tropics. specialized MADAGASCAR ZONE TROPICALE 080ZOOGEN 076BOTA 082VEGET 13 12 1971 [23 ] 2024 2073-445X https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092402 10.3390/land13121971 2073-445X [F B010092402] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092402 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-02/010092402.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2024-12-03 2026-06-12 fdi:010092402 fre