The Fascinating Relationship between Mice and a Plant that Flowers once a Century in terms of Seed Dispersal
Published:14 Dec.2023 Source:Nagoya University
The researchers found that the seed use patterns of field mice differed by species (large Japanese field mouse Apodemus speciosus and small Japanese field mouse A. argenteus), the presence or absence of understory vegetation, forest tree species (broadleaf forest or coniferous forest), and season (summer or fall). Their findings underscore the importance of understanding the needs of both plants and animals to ensure the health of local ecosystems. They also overturn a previously held belief about how mice store seeds.
The two species of field mice also behaved differently. The large Japanese field mouse consumed the seeds where plants and bushes protected them from predators. They also carried the seeds from areas where they were more vulnerable, such as areas without vegetation. The small Japanese field mouse, meanwhile, was more likely to carry seeds to another location even when there was protective vegetation. The researchers suspect that the differences in mouse body size probably explain this behavior. In short, larger mice worry less about other rodents stealing their food.
The established theory states that larger seeds, such as chestnuts and acorns, are subject to removal and caching, while smaller seeds are consumed more quickly. However, the results revealed that even much smaller seeds, such as those of Sasa borealils, that weigh as little as about 0.025 g per seed, are also a caching target of mice. Therefore, the dispersal and storage behavior of field mice for seeds as small as sassafras suggests that the established theory needs to be revised. The experiments showed that field mice consider the surrounding environment and flexibly utilized Sasa seeds.