Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds

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	Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds
	Jin Chen
刊名	Ecology
	2016
卷号	97 期号:1 页码:3070-3078
中文摘要	Rodent 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.
公开日期	2016-11-30
内容类型	期刊论文
源URL	[http://ir.xtbg.org.cn/handle/353005/10103]
专题	西双版纳热带植物园_动植物关系组
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Jin Chen. Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds[J]. Ecology,2016,97(1):3070-3078.
APA	Jin Chen.(2016).Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds.Ecology,97(1),3070-3078.
MLA	Jin Chen."Differential foraging preferences on seed size by rodents result in higher dispersal success of medium-sized seeds".Ecology 97.1(2016):3070-3078.