Small mammal personalities generate context dependence in the seed dispersal mutualism

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 119(15)

Опубликована: Апрель 4, 2022

Mutualisms are foundational components of ecosystems with the capacity to generate biodiversity through adaptation and coevolution give rise essential services such as pollination seed dispersal. To understand how mutualistic interactions shape communities ecosystems, we must identify mechanisms that underlie their functioning. One mechanism may drive mutualisms vary in space time is unique behavioral types, or personalities, individuals involved. Here, our goal was examine interindividual variation dispersal mutualism role different personalities play. In a field experiment, observed individual deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) known personality traits predating dispersing seeds natural environment classified all made by either positive negative. We then scored on continuum from antagonistic found within population scatter hoarders, some more than others one factor driving this distinction animal personality. Through empirical work, provide conceptual advancement study integrating it intraspecific variation. These findings indicate previously overlooked generating context dependence plant–animal suggest diversity have important consequences for functioning mutualisms.

Язык: Английский

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Modeling the continua in the outcomes of biotic interactions

Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 104(4)

Опубликована: Фев. 18, 2023

The outcome of many ecological interactions lies somewhere along a continuum between pure positive and negative effects. Although the popularity this idea has notoriously risen in last decades, with occurrence continua interaction outcomes invoked for wide variety interactions, absence precise theoretical treatment led to considerable inaccuracy ambiguity its treatment. We develop here consumer-resource model explore continua. This is based on assumption that distribution individual events includes both immediate outcomes, variable frequencies, at least one interacting species. Our study shows happen just by varying sign impact events. exact shape depends proportion versus relative magnitude per-capita strengths. are key property most pairwise originated from roles played partners. It constitutes step forward paradigm change discrete categorization new perspective over continuous space.

Язык: Английский

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Scatterhoarder abundance and advantages of seed burial drive dynamics of a tree–rodent interaction

Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 112(9), С. 1940 - 1951

Опубликована: Июнь 27, 2024

Abstract Theoretical models suggest that species abundance plays a crucial role in mutualism; high densities can lead to overexploitation. Additionally, mutualistic benefits are expected increase under abiotic stress. We investigated the interplay between density dependence and factors conditional mutualism, focussing on interactions yellow‐necked mice ( Apodemus flavicollis ) common oaks Quercus robur across 3 years. controlled for seed abundance, while mouse varied. Our approach included monitoring measuring removal, determining fate of harvested seeds conducting seedling emergence trials assess advantages caching. found exerted strong influence all studied aspects dispersal. Higher led increased removal greater dispersal distances. However, they also decreased probability caching consumption, degrading quality shifting interaction towards antagonism. Furthermore, reliance recruitment burial varied over time, likely becoming more critical during dry conditions. This indicates plants face worst conditions when coincides with Synthesis : results supports notion rodent reduces plant recruitment, revealing conflicting interests interacting species. dynamics rodent–oak shaped not only by density‐dependent foraging decisions rodents, but These findings illustrate how population jointly dictate costs interactions.

Язык: Английский

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Predation risk and personality influence seed predation and dispersal by a scatter‐hoarding small mammal

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Abstract Small mammals are key scatter hoarders in forest ecosystems, acting as both seed predators and dispersers. The outcome of their interactions (i.e., predation vs. dispersal) is determined by a series decisions made small mammals, such the choice seed, whether immediately consumed or cached, where it cached. These influenced variety factors, including intrinsic traits individual personality hoarder, perceived risk while foraging. Furthermore, these factors may all interact to dictate fate with consequences for regeneration. Nevertheless, ways which affect dispersal still poorly understood. To contribute filling this knowledge gap, we tested hypotheses that southern red‐backed voles ( Myodes gapperi ), an important hoarder would exhibit personality‐mediated foraging alter associations between dispersal. We conducted large‐scale field experiment, offering trays at stations altered levels recorded free‐ranging known personalities. found voles. Specifically, docility, boldness predicted site selection, species selection number seeds individuals selected, tendency explore remove consume seeds. Predation risk, mediated amount cover moon illumination, affected chose, probability removal versus consumption. did not find support interaction predicting decisions. findings highlight importance affecting decisions, implications patterns regeneration areas different mammal distributions landscapes fear.

Язык: Английский

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Impacts of moderateness and cobalancedness in seed mass and coat thickness on seed dispersal effectiveness of Quercus variabilis by rodents

Plant Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 224(3), С. 283 - 297

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Pilfering personalities: Effects of small mammal personality on cache pilferage

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 18, 2024

Abstract Small mammals such as mice and voles play a fundamental role in the ecosystem service of seed dispersal by caching seeds small hoards that germinate under beneficial conditions. Pilferage is critical step this process which animals steal from other individuals' caches. Pilferers often recache stolen seeds, are pilfered new individuals, who may again, so on, potentially leading to compounded increased distance. However, little research has investigated intraspecific differences pilfering frequency, despite its importance better understanding behavioural diversity valuable dispersal. We conducted field experiment Maine (USA) investigating how variation, including personality, influences pilferage effectiveness. Within context long‐term capture‐mark‐recapture study, we measured unique personality 3311 individual 10 species over 7‐year period. For experiment, created artificial caches using eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus ) monitored with trail cameras buried antennas for identification. Of 436 created, 83.5% were species, deer (( Peromyscus maniculatus southern red‐backed Myodes gapperi ). show individuals differ their ability pilfer these driven body condition sex. More exploratory those lower more likely locate cache, female than males Also, be areas higher mammal abundance. Because risk drives decisions concerning where an animal chooses store pressure thought drive evolution food‐hoarding behaviour. Our study shows varies between meaning some have disproportionately strong influence on others' contribute longer‐distance facilitated pilferage. results add growing knowledge showing personalities forest regeneration impacting

Язык: Английский

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Intrapopulation variation in boldness differs while average boldness is similar across populations of a widespread turtle

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 78(6)

Опубликована: Май 28, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Patterns of acorn selection in Peromyscus mice and possible implications in a changing climate

Journal of Mammalogy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 105(4), С. 697 - 705

Опубликована: Июнь 7, 2024

Abstract Rodents play a key role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds and interspecific differences seed preferences could have important consequences for growth. The White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) Deer maniculatus gracilis) are 2 closely related species that can exploit Red Oak (Quercus rubra) acorns but may display different preference levels due to the high tannin concentration present these acorns. Here we investigated how Mice differ their ability We conducted cafeteria-style experiment where offered mice (n = 61) of Bur (Q. macrocarpa; control with lower levels) video-recorded acorn fate (consumed or cached). Using mixed-effects models, found both mouse selected consumed at rate; however, were 6.67 times more likely select consume than Mice. Furthermore, tended cache near surface there is higher chance germination, while they usually Our results suggest Oaks better strategy avoiding predation (i.e., leading caching), strong interaction between might be an mechanism behind current range expansion response climate change.

Язык: Английский

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Over the limit: Consequences of gray squirrel personality on the shifting range limits of oak and hickory species

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. e03539 - e03539

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Camera traps reveal cryptic species‐specific seed removal preferences in a seasonal small‐mammal foraging study

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 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.

Язык: Английский

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