Background and aims – Seed dormancy is rarely studied in the Neotropical area preventing attempts to understand its phylogenetic and biogeographic distribution. Methods – We estimated seed viability and germination of fresh-collected seeds of Miconia ligustroides and Miconia pepericarpa . Seed coat permeability tests and embryo anatomy analyses were performed to determine seed dormancy class. The effect of different concentrations of extract of mature berries on seed germination was experimentally tested. Key results – Both species produce dormant seeds with permeable seed coats and differentiated embryos, thus seeds are physiologically dormant. Both species disperse seeds when conditions for seedling establishment are not suitable, thus dormancy is considered a strategy that may have evolved as a response to drought-induced seedling mortality. Fruit extracts of M. ligustroides inhibited lettuce seed germination, suggesting that seed cleaning by frugivores is required prior to seed germination. Conclusions – Seed dormancy in both species should decrease seedling mortality at the onset of the dry season and delay germination to the following rainy season, when conditions for seedling establishment are suitable. Germination inhibitors in Miconia fruits indicate that seed cleaning is an important contribution to plant fitness delivered by frugivores.

FRUGIVORY; PHYSIOLOGICAL DORMANCY; CONVERGENT EVOLUTION; GERMINATION INHIBITORS; RUPESTRIAN GRASSLANDS; SEASONALITY; SEED CLEANING