Assessing frequency-dependent seed size selection: a field experiment

摘要: Seed size is a life history attribute that affects the probability of seed predation, and therefore plant fitness. Compared with smaller seeds, those large should be more attractive to predators, as they constitute profitable food item because higher energetic and/or nutrient content. However, predator preferences may frequency-dependent in sense modulated by relative abundance alternative seeds different sizes. We set up field experiment evaluate predation using Cryptocarya alba (Lauraceae), at La Campana National Park central Chile. Predators (rodents birds) preferentially consumed an antiapostatic manner. These selective responses were maintained throughout selection predators was not affected previous consumption. Our results suggest (a) are very items actively sought even low abundance, (b) expressed short time scale (c) consuming consistently, have potential modify significantly quality progeny. © 2004 The Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2004, 81, 307–312.