The kapok tree ( <i>Ceiba pentandra</i> (L.) Gaertn, Malvaceae) as a food source for native vertebrate species during times of resource scarcity and its potential for reforestation in Madagascar

Reforestation in Madagascar often relies on a few tree species with known properties. Species selection may consider aspects like human use, growth characteristics and animal use. Here, we investigated the use of kapok (Ceiba pentandra) as food source for vertebrates during dry season North West Madagascar. We observed 21 native vertebrate (five lemurs, five bats 11 birds) feed or within C. pentandra this period low availability, 48% which are seed dispersers. As fast-growing species, therefore be suitable inclusion reforestation forest restoration efforts to facilitate dispersal, natural regeneration movement between adjacent fragments.