Camera-trapping and seed-labelling reveals widespread granivory and scatter-hoarding of nuts by rodents in the Fynbos Biome

摘要: Many plant—animal interactions can be challenging to directly observe, due species being small, cryptic and/or nocturnal. Previous research on seed predation and dispersal by rodents in the Fynbos Biome of South Africa has relied indirect evidence, as methods for monitoring rodent—seed were not available. The aims study determine which resident small mammals scatter-hoard nuts geographic, seasonal taxonomic extent scatter-hoarding Biome. We used camera traps focused stations at eight sites responses tagged nut-like fruits (nuts) seven endemic plant belonging Proteaceae (n = 3), Rosaceae 2), Restionaceae 1) Cupressaceae 1), well commercial sunflower seeds. found Acomys subspinosus Gerbilliscus paeba scatter-hoarded nuts, they typically carried buried individually. Rhabdomys pumilio Micaelamys namaquensis only...