Functional Ecology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
38(6), P. 1420 - 1430
Published: March 26, 2024
Abstract
Intraspecific
variation
plays
a
pivotal
role
in
shaping
ecological
dynamics.
As
the
dispersal
of
seeds
most
woody
plants
is
mediated
by
animals,
individual
within
animal
dispersers
holds
considerable
implications
for
plant
population
and
ecology.
We
explored
how
traits
(such
as
sex,
body
mass
exploration
levels)
yellow‐necked
mice
(
Apodemus
flavicollis
)
impact
common
oak
Quercus
robur
acorns.
Over
3
years,
we
collected
data
on
seed
fate
specific
responsible
their
dispersal.
The
relationship
between
was
not
static,
but
influenced
yearly
environmental
conditions.
Heavier
individuals
tended
to
carry
farther,
yet
contrary
our
expectations,
sex
had
no
effect
distance
Moreover,
rate
showed
an
inconsistent
association
with
consumption
distance,
while
it
positively
impacted
from
nearest
tree.
Synthesis
.
Our
findings
suggest
more
nuanced
than
often
assumed,
noticeable
annual
significantly
influencing
these
impacts.
Consequently,
appears
there
single,
universally
beneficial
type
ensure
maximal
benefits
plants.
Rather,
conferring
advantages
are
dynamic,
subject
change
over
time
response
context.
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article
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Ecosphere,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(4)
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
Seasonal
changes
in
plant–animal
interactions,
such
as
seed
dispersal
and
predation,
remain
poorly
understood
temperate
ecosystems.
We
examined
removal
of
three
woody
species
(
Acer
saccharum
,
Tsuga
canadensis
Lonicera
spp.)
by
small
mammals
Peromyscus
spp.,
Tamiasciurus
hudsonicus
)
across
fall,
winter,
spring
using
custom
camera
traps
that
could
record
species‐specific
foraging
behavior
year‐round,
including
under
snow.
predicted
would
decline
the
winter
assemblage
visiting
small‐mammal
vary
seasonally
due
to
their
differing
thermoregulation
strategies.
also
expected
observe
interspecific
variation
selection.
The
overall
occurrence
was
lowest
January,
coldest
month
our
study,
driven
reduced
spp.
Seed
T.
consistent
months.
Our
results
revealed
clear
differences
identity
seeds
removed
two
taxa.
used
all
but
preferred
A.
while
only
seeds.
These
findings
underscore
importance
context
dependency
important
roles
community
composition
seasonality
shaping
plant
establishment,
spread
invasive
plants.
Journal of Applied Ecology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
58(12), P. 2760 - 2769
Published: Aug. 28, 2021
Abstract
Millions
of
dams
impair
watershed
connectivity
across
the
globe
and
have
severely
affected
migratory
fish
populations.
Fishways
offer
upstream
passage
opportunities,
but
artificial
selection
may
be
imposed
by
these
structures.
Using
juvenile
American
eel
Anguilla
rostrata
as
a
model
species,
we
consider
whether
individual
differences
in
behaviour
(i.e.
personality)
size
can
predict
success.
We
evaluated
expression
bold
exploratory
behaviours
using
open
field
emergence
assays
laboratory.
Then
assessed
propensity
for
individuals
to
volitionally
climb
through
an
experimental
fishway
understand
if
personality
could
climbing
demonstrate
eels,
swimming
speed
was
negatively
associated
with
propensity.
Slower
swimmers
were
up
60%
more
likely
use
device
suggesting
that
eels
incurred
greater
For
successful
climbers,
time
length.
Synthesis
applications
.
Our
results
suggest
segregate
at
barriers
based
on
size.
Preventing
subset
from
accessing
habitat
is
negative
consequences
populations
aquatic
ecosystems.
Selection
alleviated
increasing
maximizing
attraction
avoiding
inefficient
solutions.
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
20(1), P. 58 - 63
Published: Oct. 5, 2021
Conservationists
rarely
consider
the
roles
individuals,
with
their
own
unique
behavior,
physiology,
and
genome,
play
in
shaping
ecosystem
processes
consequently
services,
but
this
is
changing.
An
ongoing
surge
research
on
animal
personalities
(that
is,
behavioral
differences
among
individuals
that
are
consistent
over
time
across
contexts)
exposing
ecological
of
to
scientific
scrutiny.
Here,
we
present
four
broad
examples
services
likely
be
shaped
by
personalities:
(1)
pollination
seed
dispersal,
(2)
regulation
pest
species,
(3)
ecotourism,
(4)
maintenance
soil
quality.
Although
researchers
have
suggested
diverse
links
between
personality
function,
very
few
examined
association.
We
outline
a
four‐step
process
for
quantifying
validating
these
linkages,
leading
application
conservation
practitioners,
conclude
recommending
accounting
variation
should
incorporated
into
management
services.
Ecosphere,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(4)
Published: April 1, 2022
Abstract
Rodents
can
influence
the
succession
and
assembly
of
plant
communities
by
preying
on
dispersing
seeds.
Using
a
seed
tray
experiment
with
three
common
seeds,
American
beech
(
Fagus
grandifolia
),
red
maple
Acer
rubrum
eastern
hemlock
Tsuga
canadensis
we
assessed
factors
that
selection
foraging
time
rodents:
deer
mice
Peromyscus
maniculatus
white‐footed
leucopus
southern
red‐backed
voles
Myodes
gapperi
).
All
rodents
preferred
likely
due
to
its
large
size
high
lipid
content.
However,
when
availability
was
low,
secondary
differed
rodent
species
P.
equally
selecting
maple,
preferring
hemlock,
M.
maple.
Red
seeds
contained
levels
phenolic
compounds,
which
hinder
digestion,
elongated
cecum
may
allow
for
better
processing
these
compounds
relative
.
Beech
were
nearly
always
removed
from
trays
intact,
suggesting
could
be
important
dispersers
compared
small‐seeded
species,
generally
processed
trays.
The
environmental
only
notable
low.
also
primary
factor
influencing
trays,
individuals
increasing
as
decreased.
Consistent
predator
avoidance
behaviors,
denser
shrub
cover
increased
,
whereas
moon
luminosity
decreased
all
species.
Our
findings
underscore
quality
drives
but
preferences
are
context
dependent,
varying
digestive
capacity.
