Exposure time is an important variable in quantifying post-dispersal seed removal

Ecol Lett. 2021 Jul;24(7):1522-1525. doi: 10.1111/ele.13744. Epub 2021 May 3.

Abstract

A literature synthesis concluded that small mammals have the greatest impact on post-dispersal removal of intermediate-sized seeds (Dylewski et al. 2020). However, this study failed to consider the duration of seed exposure to predators. Re-analyses of the corrected dataset revealed only a weak effect of seed mass on seed removal.

Keywords: functional trait; granivory; rodent; seed defence; seed dispersal; seed mass; seed predation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Mammals*
  • Seed Dispersal*