Insects 飳 Food For Rodents Mediated Seed Dispersal Of Plants Under The Influence Of Several Fagaceae South Slope

Natural regeneration of most nut plants is largely dependent on small mammals (especially rodents) spreading their seeds. Rodents will larder or scatter hoard some plant seeds in order to survive during food shortage or to mate and reproduce. For plants, a few seeds which been buried in soil or other matrix will germinate successfully and achieve plant renewal if they escaped from the predation of the hoarders, stealers and microbial predators finally. Seed quality will affect the selection strategy of rodents. Typically, weevil-infested seeds have a lower degree of utilization, reducing the attractiveness of forest rodents and affecting diffusion and updates of seeds. Considerable controversy exists over whether forest rodents have the ability to detect weevil-infested seeds. What factors would affect the rodents in intact and infestation choice if rodents can identify two kinds of seeds? However, the current studies in seed dispersal are not very balance in China, and there are little reports about forest rodents in Qinling Mountains.Based on the analysis of studies on seed dispersal by forest rats, we selected the forest rodents and plant seeds (Fagaceae) as experimental objects, for those distribute in the Foping National Nature Reserve in South Slope of Qinling Mountains, and investigated the seed dispersal process and the strategies of seed predation, seed removal and seed hoarding among sympatric rodent species by using the combined methods of field seed release, semi-natural enclosure and behavior observation. This thesis was carried out to study the select strategy of two kinds of four Fagaceae acorns by forest rodents and the influence from food abundance and rodent density. Main results and conclusions were listed below:1. Studing whether forest rodents have the ability to detect Quercus aliena var acuteserrata weevil-infested seeds and how food abundance influenced select strategy by rodents in two kinds of seed. The results show that rodents can accurately distinguish two kinds of seeds during food rich period and storage more intact seeds. Rodent selection strategy significantly decreased in the period of food deprivation and reduced the storage of the two types of seeds and feeding more.2. Studing whether forest rodents have the ability to detect Castanea mollissima weevil-infested seeds and how the mast seeding influenced select strategy by rodents in two kinds of seeds. The results show that rodents can accurately distinguish two kinds of seeds. Mast seeding influenced select strategy by rodents. There were more scatter hoarding in mast seeding year and more weevil-infested seeds eating in situ.3. Studing whether forest rodents have the ability to detect Q. variabilis weevil-infested seeds food and how food abundance and rodent density influenced select strategy by rodents in two kinds of seeds. The results show that rodents can accurately distinguish two kinds of seeds. In food rich period, select strategy by rodents is weakened with the increase of rodent density. Fast hoarding and eating more are two kinds of seeds in mast seeding year. Fast storage and feeding of the two types of seeds are more performanced.4. Studing whether forest rodents have the ability to detect Q. glandulifera var serrata weevil-infested seeds food and how food abundance and rodent density influenced select strategy by rodents in two kinds of seeds. The results show that the rodent can accurately distinguish two kinds of seeds. Rodents have strong predation pressure on Q. glandulifera var serrata seeds, most seeds were eaten in situ while little seed were hoarded. It is adverse for seed dispersal and natural regeneration.5. Studing the differences in dectect weevil-infested seeds by several rodents. The results show that Apodemus draco and Niviventer confucianus can accurately distinguish two kinds of seeds while Cansumys canus can’t do this. A few seeds were scatter-hoarded by A. draco. It is beneficial for seed dispersal and natural regeneration.