Schematic representation of the factorial experimental design employed to access the effects of diaspore handling, distance of deposition and vertebrate exclosure on removal of <i>Miconia irwinii</i> seeds and fruits by the ground-dwelling fauna in <i>campo rupestre</i> vegetation.

Distribution of diaspore piles across eight treatment combinations, including two treatments simulating outcomes of diaspore handling by birds paired on each tracking station. We made diaspore piles in one tracking station accessible to ants plus vertebrates, whereas the nearby tracking station with diaspore piles were excluded from vertebrates but accessible to ants. We placed one sampling block near and the other 25 meters far from a fruiting plant.