Tree-to-tree variation in seed size and its consequences for seed dispersal versus predation by rodents

摘要: Individual variation in seed size and production is high many plant species. How does this affect seed-dispersing animals and, turn, the fitness of individual plants? In study, we first surveyed intraspecific mass a population Chinese white pine, Pinus armandii. For 134 target trees investigated 2012, there was very size, with mean varying among almost tenfold, from 0.038 to 0.361 g. Furthermore, 30 produced seeds 2 years later, for these individuals correlation 0.59 between years, implying consistent differences individuals. subset 67 trees, monitored foraging preferences scatter-hoarding rodents on total 15,301 seeds: 8380 were ignored, 3184 eaten situ, 2651 after being cached, 395 successfully dispersed (cached left intact). At scale seeds, affected every decision that made eat, remove, cache seeds. level larger had increased probabilities both predation successful dispersal: effects costs (predation) benefits (caching) balanced out. Thus, despite affecting rodent decisions, dispersal success associated small once harvested. This might explain, at least part, maintenance tree