Mutualistic and predatory interactions are driven by rodent body size and seed traits in a rodent–seed system in warm-temperate forest in northern China
Hongmao Zhang A B E , Zhenzhen Wang A , Qinghuan Zeng A , Gang Chang C , Zhenyu Wang D and Zhibin Zhang B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Molecular and Behavioural Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
B State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
C Shanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an 710032, China.
D College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330027, China.
E Corresponding author. Email: zhanghm@mail.ccnu.edu.cn
Wildlife Research 42(2) 149-157 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR14211
Submitted: 15 October 2014 Accepted: 1 December 2014 Published: 21 April 2015
Abstract
Context: Mutualistic interactions between animals and plants shape the structure of plant–animal systems and, subsequently, affect plant-community structure and regeneration.
Aims: To assess the effects of plant and rodent functional traits on the formation of mutualistic and predatory interactions regarding seed dispersal and predation in a warm-temperate forest.
Methods: Seed scatter-hoarding and predation by six sympatric rodent species on seeds belonging to five sympatric tree species were tested under enclosure conditions.
Key results: Functional traits (i.e. rodent body size and seed traits) are important to mutualism/predation in this seed–rodent system. The rodent–seed network is highly nested: large-sized rodents have mutualistic or predatory interactions with both large- and small-sized seed species, but small-sized rodents interacted with small-sized seed species only. Large seeds or seeds with hard coats enhanced mutualism and reduced predation.
Conclusion: Body size of rodents and seed traits such as handling time and nutritional value are key factors in the formation of mutualistic and predatory interactions within seed–rodent systems.
Implications: To promote seedling establishment in degenerated forests, introducing or protecting large-sized scatter hoarders and reducing the density of pure seed eaters are needed.
Additional keywords: behavioural difference, plant–animal interactions, plant regeneration, seed dispersal.
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