Habitat effects on hoarding plasticity in the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

摘要: Hoarding patterns can be classified into two general types: scatter-hoarding and larder-hoarding, but there are intermediate types. Various factors affect hoarding patterns. Animals identical seeds in different habitats may use to adapt habitat variation. We used a sample-plot investigation method study cache features recovery rate of Arolla pine ( Pinus cembra ) by Eurasian red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris 2009 2010 subalpine forests with tree-species composition the Italian Alps. varied among habitats: typical pattern most caches including 2-6 is found spruce Picea abies dominated forest, while combination few large (≥10 seeds) many small (less than 10 forest. Consequently, average number seeds/cache was higher latter habitat. Among five microhabitats, shrubs, grass, moss, fallen leaves, stone, preferred leaves moss as substrate. Cache indicated that 62% forest only 21% A lower availability suitable microhabitat resulted changes suggest main factor influencing differences cone production per tree Download complete issue.