Effects of Seed Size and Frequency on Seed Dispersal and Predation by Small Mammals

Abstract

Frequency-dependent predation is common in predator–prey interactions. Size is an important characteristic of seeds and is crucial in the regeneration stage of plant seeds. However, the frequency dependence of animal predation on seed size has not been reported. In this study, we conducted a field experiment and used different sizes of Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica) seeds to test the frequency dependence of intraspecific seed size selection in rodents. We used the number ratio of large to small seeds as the frequency. The results show that the rate of small seeds being eaten in situ was significantly higher than that of large seeds (p < 0.05). The rates of different-sized seeds being eaten after removal decreased with increasing frequencies, and there was no significant difference between frequencies except for 1:9 and 9:1. The rates of large seeds being scatter-hoarded were significantly higher than those of small seeds at different frequencies (p < 0.05). The eating distances after removal of large seeds were significantly longer than those of small seeds at the same frequencies (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the scatter-hoarding distances of large seeds were significantly longer than those of small seeds at three frequencies (1:9, 3:7, and 9:1) (p < 0.05). That is, rodents consumed more small seeds in situ, dispersed and scatter-hoarded more large seeds, and dispersed large seeds over longer distances. Rodents exhibited a negative frequency dependence for small seeds and a positive frequency dependence for large seeds on being eaten in situ. Moreover, rodents exhibited a negative frequency dependence for large seeds and a positive frequency dependence for small seeds on being eaten after removal and scatter-hoarding. These results reveal the frequency dependence of rodent selection on seed size and provide new insights into animal-mediated seed dispersal and the regeneration of plant populations.