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Plant-animal mutualism: coevolution with dodo leads to near extinction of plant

Science. 1977 Aug 26;197(4306):885-6. doi: 10.1126/science.197.4306.885.

Abstract

An endemic sapotaceous tree Calvaria major found on the island of Mauritius is nearly extinct because its seeds apparently required passage through the digestive tract of the now-extinct dodo Raphus cucullatus to overcome persistent seed coat dormancy caused by a specially thickened endocarp.