journal article
Nov 01, 2016
Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium‐sized seeds
Abstract
AbstractRodent preference for scatter‐hoarding large seeds has been widely considered to favor the evolution of large seeds. Previous studies supporting this conclusion were primarily based on observations at earlier stages of seed dispersal, or on a limited sample of successfully established seedlings. Because seed dispersal comprises multiple dispersal stages, we hypothesized that differential foraging preference on seed size by animal dispersers at different dispersal stages would ultimately result in medium‐sized seeds having the highest dispersal success rates. In this study, by tracking a large number of seeds for 5 yr, we investigated the effects of seed size on seed fates from seed removal to seedling establishment of a dominant plant Pittosporopsis kerrii (Icacinaceae) dispersed by scatter‐hoarding rodents in tropical forest in southwest China. We found that small seeds had a lower survival rate at the early dispersal stage where more small seeds were predated at seed stations and after removal; large seeds had a lower survival rate at the late dispersal stage, more large seeds were recovered, predated after being cached, or larder‐hoarded. Medium‐sized seeds experienced the highest dispersal success. Our study suggests that differential foraging preferences by scatter‐hoarding rodents at different stages of seed dispersal could result in conflicting selective pressures on seed size and higher dispersal success of medium‐sized seeds.
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References
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Showing 50 of 58 references
Metrics
64
Citations
58
References
Details
- Published
- Nov 01, 2016
- Vol/Issue
- 97(11)
- Pages
- 3070-3078
- License
- View
Authors
Funding
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Cite This Article
Lin Cao, Zhenyu Wang, Chuan Yan, et al. (2016). Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium‐sized seeds. Ecology, 97(11), 3070-3078. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.1555
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