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Effects Of Competition On Hoarding Behavior In Rodents

Posted on:2018-11-20Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:J ZhangFull Text:PDF
GTID:2370330518483314Subject:Zoology
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It is common for sympatric food-hoarding animals to compete for food and space resources.Previous studies have shown that food pilferage of conspecifics and heterospecifics is the main cause of food loss,and the hoarding behavior of animals changed under the competitive mode of "one on one" accordingly.However,it is unknown that how animals modify their behavior when facing different competitive interference from various sympatric rodents.In this study,we investigated the effects of intra-and inter-specific competition on the hoarding behavior in rodents,and revealed the plasticity of hoarding behavior and the diversity of strategy on pilferage avoidance of sympatric rodents.We tested the effects intra-and inter-specific interferences on Korean field mice(KFM)(Apodemus peninsulae)and David's rock squirrel(DRS)(Sciurotamias davidianus)9×9m semi-natural enclosures in the Dongling Mountain Area.The experiment is comprised of three stages,namely,(1)Control:single rat hoards freely;(2)Treatment:an experimental stage,intra-/inter-specific interference;(3)Post-Treatment:a post-experimental stage,hoarding freely after the competitor was removed.Our results showed that:KFM larder-hoarded at a great intensity and decreased seed scatter-hoarding significantly when Apodemus peninsulae was present as a conspecific audience.Interspecific interference by Chinese white-bellied rat(CWR)(Niviventer confucianus)and rat-like hamsters(Tscherskia triton)greatly decreased seed removal,scatter-hoarding and larder-hoarding by KFM.Whereas the objects larder-hoarded more seeds and reduced the amount of scatter hoarded when facing DRS.In addition,KFM established more cache sites near the nest in the second quadrant,which was significantly higher than the other quadrants,especially the fourth quadrant within the competitor.Compared with Post-Treatment,the presence of CWR and RLH increased the proportion of seed secondary removal.The proportion of seed removal(R)and intact after removal(IAR,intact and put on the ground)of David's rock squirrel decreased under the condition of conspecifics,DRS dispersed more seeds than the experimental group(Treatment)after removing the competitor.Interspecific interference by Siberian chipmunk(Timias sibiricus)significantly reduced the number of R and IAR by DRS.David's rock squirrel scatter-hoarded more seeds when interfered by rat-like hamsters.Furthermore,the density of caches is the highest in the second quadrant under the conditions of intra-and inter-specific interferences.The findings of our research will enrich the relationship between food-hoarding,pilferage and pilferage avoidance,which provides positive information on coexistence mechanisms of sympatric animals...
Keywords/Search Tags:Korean field mice(Apodemus peninsulae), David's rock squirrel(Sciurotamias davidianus), Intra-/Inter-specific interference, Hoarding behavior, Pilferage avoidance, Species coexistence
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