Seed dispersal plays a pivotal role in plant ecology, impacting various aspects such as dispersal, reproduction, and population dynamics. In this study, we investigated the endozoochoric seed dispersal by the onager or Persian wild ass (Equus hemionus onager) in Qatrouiyeh National Park, located in south-central Iran. Fecal samples were collected from three plains within the park over three seed production seasons. A subsequent greenhouse experiment was conducted to identify and quantify the germinated seedlings. We discovered a total of 63 plant species across 45 genera and 21 families, with the majority of species categorized as annual or perennial forbs. Seasonal variations were observed for seedling count, species richness, and species diversity, with peak values observed during autumn. The seedlings consisted primarily of forbs (86%), followed by grasses (10%) and other plant types (4%). Astragalus podolobus, Lepidium vesicarium, and Chenopodium album emerged as the most abundant species from the fecal samples. Our findings shed light on the critical role played by the onager in the dispersal of numerous plant species and emphasized the potential cascading effects of herbivore-mediated seed dispersal. This highlights the significance of conserving and restoring the remaining populations of this threatened subspecies in arid habitats, where seed dispersal by abiotic factors is limited.

种子传播在植物生态学中发挥着关键作用，影响着传播、繁殖和种群动态等各个方面。在这项研究中，我们调查了位于伊朗中南部 Qatrouiyeh 国家公园的投石驴或波斯野驴(Equus hemionus onager)的动物体内种子传播。粪便样本是在三个种子生产季节从公园内的三个平原收集的。随后进行了温室实验来识别和量化发芽的幼苗。我们总共发现了 21 科 45 属 63 种植物，其中大多数物种属于一年生或多年生草本植物。观察到幼苗数、物种丰富度和物种多样性的季节性变化，在秋季观察到峰值。幼苗主要由非禾本科植物 (86%) 组成，其次是禾本科植物 (10%) 和其他植物类型 (4%)。黄芪、Lepidium v​​esicarium和藜是粪便样本中最丰富的物种。我们的研究结果揭示了投石雀在众多植物物种传播中所发挥的关键作用，并强调了食草动物介导的种子传播的潜在连锁效应。这凸显了在干旱栖息地中保护和恢复该受威胁亚种的剩余种群的重要性，因为非生物因素导致的种子传播受到限制。