Using seed-tagging methods for assessing post-dispersal seed fate in rodent-dispersed trees

Xiao, Zhishu; Jansen, Patrick A.; Zhang, Zhibin

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.10.054

Cited by 181 publications

(135 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…However, our goal was to study the concealment/consumption of seeds from the release plots (see below). Moreover, tags were found to have little effect on seed dispersal and caching by rodents (Xiao et al 2006.…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the seeds of L. xylocarpus, L. pachyphyllus and C. wattii, the woodyenclosed receptacle was removed manually before the experiment. Each seed was weighed and tag-labeled using a modification of the method reported by Xiao et al (2006). A tiny hole (~ 0.6 mm in diameter) was drilled at the base of each seed, and a small white plastic tag (3.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width) was tied through the hole by using a thin steel thread (15 cm in length).…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of seed size on seed fate in a subtropical forest, southwest of China

Lang¹,

Wang²

2016

iForest

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Scatter-hoarding rodents acting both as seed predators and dispersers usually play an important role in seed dispersal of many plant species. Seed size is thought to essentially affect rodent scatter-hoarding processes. However, studies to date have frequently shown many controversial results regarding the effect of seed size on rodent foraging. In this study, we explored how seed size affects scatter-hoarding rodent foraging preferences in order to identify the possible reasons underlying the conflicting results reported in the scientific literature. We surveyed rodent seed predation and dispersal of five common tree species in a natural subtropical forest located in southwestern China along two seasons which were different in both seed abundances and rodent communities. Our results showed that a similar effect of seed size on rodent scatter-hoarding behavior existed in both seasons, although the seeds in spring were harvested more quickly than in autumn. Larger seeds of the small-seeded species (Castanopsis wattii, Lithocarpus hancei, Machilns yunnanensis and Lithocarpus pachyphyllus) were harvested, removed, and finally cached by the rodents more frequently. For the largest-seeded species (Lithocarpus xylocarpus), seeds with smaller size were preferred during the rodent scatterhoarding processes. Our findings support the hypothesis that scatter-hoarding rodents preferably feed on large seeds at early stage of seed dispersal, but only up to a certain threshold of seed size.

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Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of seed size on seed fate in a subtropical forest, southwest of China

Lang¹,

Wang²

2016

iForest

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“…All selected seeds were tagged with white plastic tags as described in Zhang & Wang (2001) and Xiao et al (2006). A hole of 0.3 mm in diameter was drilled through the husk far from the embryo of each seed, without damaging the cotyledon and embryo.…”

Section: Seed Collection and Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many granivorous rodents are known to store large amounts of plant seeds in the field during seed-rich period (Vander Wall 1990, Longland & Clements 1995, Li & Zhang 2003, Gutiér-rez-Granados 2011, Meng et al 2012. Rodents' scattering-hoarding behavior often plays a crucial role on seed dispersal and plant recruitment because scatter-hoarded seeds are buried in microhabitat with temperature and moisture favorable to seed survival and germination (Reichman 1979, Inouye et al 1980, Price & Jenkins 1986, Schupp & Fuentes 1995, Chambers 2010, Jansen & Forget 2001, Hollander & Vander Wall 2004, Xiao et al 2006. However, in the field, morphological and physiological differences commonly occur among seeds of sympatric tree species (Vander Wall 2001.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal and hoarding of sympatric forest seeds by rodents in a temperate forest from northern China

Zhang¹,

Wang²,

Tian³

et al. 2014

iForest

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© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry IntroductionInteractions between forest seeds and rodents have been widely reported (Vander Wall 1990, Boman & Casper 1995, Moles et al. 2003, Cao et al. 2011, Carlo et al. 2011, Heleno et al. 2011, Puan et al. 2011). Many granivorous rodents are known to store large amounts of plant seeds in the field during seed-rich period (Vander Wall 1990, Longland & Clements 1995, Li & Zhang 2003, Gutiér-rez-Granados 2011, Meng et al. 2012. Rodents' scattering-hoarding behavior often plays a crucial role on seed dispersal and plant recruitment because scatter-hoarded seeds are buried in microhabitat with temperature and moisture favorable to seed survival and germination (Reichman 1979, Inouye et al. 1980, Price & Jenkins 1986, Schupp & Fuentes 1995, Chambers 2010, Jansen & Forget 2001, Hollander & Vander Wall 2004, Xiao et al. 2006. However, in the field, morphological and physiological differences commonly occur among seeds of sympatric tree species (Vander Wall 2001. Thus, seed-eating rodents usually balance between benefits, e.g. net energy income and nutrients, and costs, e.g. predation risks, during seed scattering-hoarding (Lima & Dill 1990, Jacobs 1992, Hadj-Chikh et al. 1996, Sivy et al. 2011. Seed traits can influence animals' decision concerning seed selection, eating or hoarding (Jacobs 1992, Hadj-Chikh et al. 1996, Smallwood et al. 2001). On one hand, seeds with thinner hulls and lower handling costs are disadvantageous for long-term storage and are more likely to be consumed immediately , Rusch et al. 2013). On the other hand, seeds with thick hulls are often lardered or scattered-hoarded because of longterm storage advantage (Steele et al. 1996, Sun & Chen 2000, Lu & Zhang 2005. Seeds with too thick husks are, however, disadvantageous for long-distance dispersal and feeding by rodents because of lower rewards and high predation risks , Rusch et al. 2013.Sympatric animal and plant species have adaptively co-evolved traits to decrease excessive ecological overlap and avoid intraand inter-specific competitions (Smith & Reichman 1984, Vander Wall 2001. In the forest, plants disclose seed features to attract possible dispersers but avoiding over-predation at the same time; correspondingly, rodents discriminate seeds depending on their palatability, nutrition and physical characteristics (Vander Wall 1990, Muñoz et al. 2012, Rusch et al. 2013). For instance, small rodents feed mainly on small-sized seeds, while larger rodents consume seeds of various sizes (Vieira et al. 2003).Studies carried out so far on seed selection and dispersal of sympatric seeds by rodents are limited , González-Rodríguez & Villar 2012, Yang et al. 2012, Rusch et al. 2013) and far from fully depicting the wide variation in the hoarding behavior of rodents in different geographical areas. Hull thickness has been reported to significantly affect seed dispersal , while other investigations have obtained conflicting result (Yang et al. 2012). To further understand discriminatory hoarding strategies of rod...

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“…Because many rodents are nocturnal, it is very difficult to observe their hoarding behavior directly in the field. To date, many studies have been conducted on census methods for the hoarding behavior of rodents (e.g., Yasuda et al 1991;Tamura 1994;Isaji and Sugita 1997;Kohno 1996, Xiao et al 2006;Yi et al 2008), and the processes causing the disappearance of dropped or artificially located/buried acorns have been traced using various methods to elucidate the role of these animals on seed dispersion and seedling establishment (e.g., Kohno 1996, 1999;Akashi 1997;Iida 2006;Takahashi et al 2006;Xiao et al 2006;Hirata et al 2007;Yamagawa et al 2010). However, most of these studies were conducted over a short period of 1-3 years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinant factors in the seedling establishment of Pasania edulis (Makino) Makino

Nakamura

Hirata

Oishi

et al. 2013

Ecological Research

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Pasania edulis (Makino) Makino is one of the dominant Fagucea tree species in evergreen broad‐leaved forests in southern Japan, and its regeneration success may have a major impact on the dynamics of evergreen broad‐leaved forests. We conducted a field survey on the population process from acorn production to seedling establishment of P. edulis in an evergreen broad‐leaved forest in Kagoshima, southern Japan, from 1995 to 2009. The acorn crop varied greatly among the 14 cohorts, with mast cropping being recorded every 3–4 years. The mortality rate of acorns was very high for all 14 cohorts (99.3–100 %). Important mortality factors were failure to mature (empty acorns), attack by Curculio weevil on trees, predation of dropped acorns by Apodemus mice and large or medium‐sized mammals (wild boar (Sus scrofa leucomystax), badger (Meles meles anakuma), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinu)), and attacks on germinated acorns by the acorn borer (Coccotrypes graniceps). Among these factors, predation by Apodemus mice was the greatest contributor to annual fluctuations in total mortality until seedling establishment. Large or medium‐sized mammals and the acorn borer also caused severe damage to dropped acorns in some years, but contributed little to annual fluctuations in total mortality. For successful regeneration, mast cropping was essential. However, a small population of Apodemus mice, that is, a low predation pressure, was also required during mast years.

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Using seed-tagging methods for assessing post-dispersal seed fate in rodent-dispersed trees

Cited by 181 publications

References 40 publications

The effect of seed size on seed fate in a subtropical forest, southwest of China

The effect of seed size on seed fate in a subtropical forest, southwest of China

Dispersal and hoarding of sympatric forest seeds by rodents in a temperate forest from northern China

Determinant factors in the seedling establishment of Pasania edulis (Makino) Makino

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