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Weak olfaction increases seed scatter‐hoarding by Siberian chipmunks: implication in shaping plant–animal interactions
Author(s) -
Yi Xianfeng,
Wang Zhenyu,
Zhang Hongmao,
Zhang Zhibin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1111/oik.03297
Subject(s) - hoarding (animal behavior) , odor , seed dispersal , biology , olfaction , olfactory cues , ecology , biological dispersal , foraging , neuroscience , population , demography , sociology
Scatter‐hoarding of seeds by animals plays an essential role in seed dispersal of plants and in shaping plant–animal interactions in forest ecosystems, but the function of scatter‐hoarding behavior is still unclear. We hypothesize that weak olfactory cues between seeds and scatter‐hoarding animals would increase scatter‐hoarding. Using a rodent–plant system of Siberian chipmunks Tamias sibiricus and Korean pines Pinus koraiensis , we tested the effects on seed scatter‐hoarding intensity by measuring and modifying the seed odor intensities and the abilities of the animals to detect seed odor. Siberian chipmunks seemed to scatter‐hoard more seeds with weaker odor signals, and Siberian chipmunks with reduced olfactory ability scatter‐hoarded more seeds, supporting our hypothesis. Our studies suggest that olfaction may have played an important role in the evolution of the strength of seed odor and scatter‐hoarding behavior of animals, and in shaping plant–animal interactions.