Seed weevils living on the edge: pressures and conflicts over body size in the endoparasitic Curculio larvae

Abstract 1. Body size in parasitic insects can be subjected to contrasting selective pressures, especially if they complete their development within a single host. On the one hand, a larger body size is associated with a higher fitness. On the other hand, the host offers a discrete amount of resources, thus constraining the evolution of a disproportionate body size. 2. The present study used the weevil Curculio elephas as a study model. Larvae develop within a single acorn, feeding on its cotyledons, and larval body size is strongly related to individual fitness. 3. The relationship between larval and acorn size was negatively exponential. Larval growth was constrained in small acorns, which did not provide enough food for the weevils to attain their potential size. Larval size increased and levelled off in acorns over a certain size (inflexion point), in which cotyledons were rarely depleted. When there were more than one larva per acorn, a larger acorn was necessary to avoid food depletion. 4. The results show that C. elephas larvae are sometimes endoparasitic, living on the edge of host holding capacity. If they were smaller they could avoid food depletion more easily, but the fitness benefits linked to a larger size have probably promoted body size increase. The strong negative effects of conspecific competition may have possibly influenced female strategy of laying a single egg per seed. 5. Being larger and fitter, but always within the limits of the available host sizes, may be one main evolutionary dilemma in endoparasites.     

槲栎超寄生橡子内象甲幼虫的适应对策

栎属植物的橡子常常受到象甲的侵害, 对橡子存活产生影响, 但有关橡子对象甲幼虫适合度影响的研究尚未见报道。本研究旨在通过对槲栎Quercus aliena种子雨进程以及象甲幼虫逃逸过程的调查, 研究二者之间的进化适应关系。结果表明： 当年槲栎的种子产量为51.92±29.26粒/m², 虫蛀率达到42.4%。虫蛀的橡子中65%以上被象甲超寄生, 且显著大于完好的橡子。在种子下落过程中, 早期从橡子中逃逸的象甲幼虫要比后期逃逸的大。对某一超寄生的橡子而言, 首先逃逸出的象甲幼虫要比随后逃逸的幼虫大。另外, 从早期脱落的橡子中逃逸的幼虫明显小于后期脱落的橡子。象甲幼虫的干重随着橡子内象甲幼虫数量的增加而显著下降。象甲幼虫寄生数量与橡子的长径和短径呈现明显的正相关关系。尽管超寄生降低了象甲虫的适合度, 但雌性成体象甲产卵过程中偏好选择大橡子在一定程度上可以减少这种不利影响。因此, 小橡子可能更容易逃脱象甲的超寄生而获得较大的存活机会。     

Multi-trophic effects of ungulate intraguild predation on acorn weevils

Predators and parasitoids may contribute to controlling the population sizes of phytophagous insects, and this has been shown to benefit plants. Phytophagous insects may also be killed by other herbivores (intraguild predation), usually larger-sized vertebrates that ingest insects accidentally while feeding on common food sources. We studied the intraguild predation on acorn weevils by ungulates and assessed the consequences for weevil populations. Infested acorns are prematurely abscised and the weevil larvae finish their development inside the acorns after being dropped. Our results show that weevil larvae were killed by ungulates eating the infested acorns on the ground. Ungulates did not discriminate between infested and sound acorns, and the probability of a larva being incidentally eaten was inversely related to acorn availability. Thus, predation risk was enhanced by the premature drop of infested acorns when acorn availability on the ground was low. Predation rates on infested acorns were much higher where ungulates were present, and acorn infestation rates were significantly lower. However, ungulates did not provide the oaks any net benefit, since the reduction of infestation rates was not enough to compensate for the large amounts of sound acorns eaten by ungulates. Seed predation is usually studied as a progressive loss of seeds by pre- and post-dispersal predators, but the interactions between them are usually not considered. We show that intraguild predation on insects by large ungulates had an effect on the structure of the foraging guild, as the proportion of acorns predated by insects decreased; however, replicating the same experimental design in different ecological scenarios would increase the strength of these results. In conclusion, the present study shows the importance of considering the multi-trophic interactions between seed predators in order to have a complete picture of granivory.     

Large acorns benefit seedling recruitment by satiating weevil larvae in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus aliena</Emphasis>

Plants can enhance their seed viability and survival through reducing the fitness costs of herbivory by satiating seed predators at either plant or seed level, or both. The former satiates with production of large crops while the latter with large-sized seeds, enhancing the probability of seed survival. We analyzed both types of satiation in the interaction between the Quercus aliena and the weevil Curculio spp in 2 years with different crop size and acorn size. Larger crop size seemed to satiate less effectively weevils due to higher proportions of the seeds were attacked in oaks producing more crops of smaller acorns. However, prematurely abscission of infested acorns in large crop year might compensate this ineffectiveness. Larger acorns in lean year well satiated weevil larvae, as a larger acorn size increased the likelihood of embryo survival and seedling establishment. Although effective satiation by larger acorns would be negated by smaller seed crops, the proportion of attacked acorns that survived increased with large acorn size in lean year. These results highlighted the importance of annual variation in acorn size of Quercus aliena in satiating and defending weevil larval predations, consequently in successful seedling recruitment and establishment.     

槲栎种子雨进程中昆虫的捕食特征

为了了解昆虫捕食与槲栎Quercus aliena种子大小和产量的关系以及在栎林更新中的作用,于2008和2009年秋季,分别在暖温带伏牛山系天池山国家森林公园内研究了两个年度槲栎的种子雨过程及昆虫捕食特征。结果表明：（1）种子雨过程从8月中下旬到9月底约经历40 d,存在高峰期且时段较明显,高峰期下落种子量分别占全部种子雨量的78.13%（2008年）和75.91%（2009年）;（2）槲栎的种子雨强度年间存在较大差异,2008年明显小于2009年（两年分别为31.75±16.65粒/m²和51.92±29.26粒/m²）,但2009年的橡子明显比2008年小（两年分别为1.94±0.61 cm³和2.46±0.57 cm³）;（3）种子雨构成比例在两个年份间存在差异,完好种子的量分别为59.05%（2008年）和36.12%（2009年）,虫蛀率在大量结实的2009年显著提高;（4）虫蛀橡子（2.29±0.42 cm³）显著大于完整橡子（1.59±0.32 cm³）,且虫蛀种子中所含虫卵数与种子大小显著正相关,昆虫有选择大种子产卵寄生的偏好。本研究的结果说明,昆虫对槲栎大种子有寄生选择偏好;大部分槲栎种子遭遇象甲虫蛀而降低生命活力,这可能是影响槲栎林更新的主要因素之一。     

Satiation of predispersal seed predators: the importance of considering both plant and seed levels

Plants can reduce the fitness costs of granivory by satiating seed predators. The most common satiation mechanism is the production of large crops, which ensures that a proportion of the seeds survive predation. Nevertheless, satiation of small granivores at the seed level may also exist. Larger seeds would satiate more efficiently, enhancing the probability of seed survival after having been attacked. However, a larger seed size could compromise the efficiency of satiation by means of large crops if there were a negative relationship between seed size and the number of seeds produced by an individual plant. We analyze both types of satiation in the interaction between the holm oak Quercus ilex and the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas. Both crop size and acorn size differed strongly in a sample of 32 trees. Larger crop sizes satiated weevils, and higher proportions of the seeds were not attacked as crop size increased. Larger seeds also satiated weevil larvae, as a larger acorn size increased the likelihood of embryo survival. Seedling size was strongly related to acorn size and was reduced by weevil attack, but seedlings coming from large weeviled acorns were still larger. The number and the size of the acorns produced by individual trees were negatively related. Larger proportions of the crop were infested in oaks producing less numerous crops of larger acorns. However, contrary to expectations, these trees did not satiate more effectively at the seed level either. Effective satiation by larger acorns was precluded by larger multi-infestation rates associated to smaller seed crops, in such a way that the proportion of attacked seeds that survived did not vary among trees with different acorn sizes. These results highlight the need of considering satiation by means of large crops and large seeds in studies of predispersal seed predation. Long-term monitoring on individual oaks will help to assess whether there is a trade-off between the number and the size of the acorns and, if it existed, how it could condition the fitness consequences of both types of satiation.     

Prolonged diapause and seed predation by the acorn weevil,Curculio robustus,in relation to masting of the deciduous oak Quercus acutissima

Many researchers have studied the relationship between masting by trees and seed predation by insects. Most of these studies have been plant centered, with little focus on the insect perspective. To estimate the effect of mast seeding on insect seed predators, the life‐history traits of these insects must also be considered because some seed insects can survive lean years by prolonged diapause. In this study, I examined larval infestation of acorns and life‐history traits of the acorn weevil, Curculio robustus (Roelofs) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in relation to acorn production of the deciduous oak Quercus acutissima Carruthers (Fagaceae) in a coppice stand in central Japan in 2004–2009. Curculio robustus females oviposit into Q. acutissima acorns, inside which the larvae develop. Mature larvae leave acorns and burrow into the soil, where they overwinter. Although germination did occur in acorns infested by weevil larvae, the percentage of germination was lower in acorns damaged by many larvae. Acorn production in Q. acutissima varied considerably among years. Both the number of C. robustus larvae infesting acorns and the percentage of acorns infested were affected by the amount of acorns produced by Q. acutissima, and two successive lean years appeared to have a considerable impact on C. robustus population size. Consequently, only a small fraction of the acorns produced were lost to predation in a mast year after two successive lean years. However, C. robustus could survive the two successive lean years because of prolonged larval diapause, probably leading to a marked decrease in population size. These findings suggest that masting in Q. acutissima succeeds as a predator satiation strategy in response to acorn damage by C. robustus, and that C. robustus has developed prolonged diapause as a counter‐adaptation.     

昆虫寄生对辽东栎种子命运的影响

报道了昆虫寄生对辽东栎 Quercus liaotungensis 种子命运的影响。结果表明：（1）被昆虫寄生的种子发芽率明显低于正常成熟的种子,被昆虫寄生的种子或者不能发芽,或者能发芽但随后死亡;（2）从虫卵到老龄幼虫的发育在橡实内完成,当橡实落地后幼虫破壳而出,整个种子库的幼虫破壳时间延续2～50天,并非高度同步化;种子库的虫寄生率高达45.4%,以柞栎象Curculio dentipes为主,还有少量其它种类,如另一种象虫Curculio sp.、栗白小卷蛾 Cydia kurokoi 和螟蛾科（Pyralidae）的一未定名种;（3）昆虫寄生影响橡实成熟,测量种子大小分布表明,被昆虫寄生的种子的大小分布介于未成熟和成熟种子之间;（4）象虫寄生取食引起16.05% 的种子能量损失,显著低于对照组。结果证明昆虫寄生对辽东栎种子的命运有重要影响,是影响辽东栎种群更新的关键因素之一。     

Complex selection on life-history traits and the maintenance of variation in exaggerated rostrum length in acorn weevils

Trophic interactions can trigger the development of exaggerated specialized characters and promote morphological diversification. For example, acorn weevils (genus Curculio) present strikingly long rostrums, which are used by females to perforate oviposition holes through the seed coat. Species exhibiting longer rostrums are known to exploit larger acorns, and therefore rostrum length is thought to be subject to selection to match the preferred acorn type. However, rostrum length is strongly correlated with body size, and morphological divergence could result from either selection on rostrum length for optimal food exploitation or from other pressures acting on body size. We collected infested acorns at oak forests where the large Curculio elephas and the small-bodied Curculio glandium co-occur. There were no interspecific differences in adult female body size to rostrum length allometric relationships, and rostrum length is equally correlated with body size in either species. MtDNA-based species identification showed that C. glandium larvae were present within acorns of all sizes, whereas C. elephas larvae were restricted to acorns above a minimum size, irrespective of oak species. Hence, exploitation of large acorns can hardly have triggered rostrum enlargement, as the small sized C. glandium adults (with short rostrums) could perforate and oviposit in both small and large acorns. Rather, increased rostrum length is probably a by-product of the larger body sizes of individuals emerging from bigger acorns, which allow increased larval size and enhance larval survival likelihood. Summarizing, when exaggerated feeding traits co-vary with other body features, interspecific morphological variability may result from contrasting selective pressures acting on these correlated characters.     

啮齿动物鉴别虫蛀种子的能力及其对坚果植物更新的潜在影响

作为种子捕食者和种子扩散者, 啮齿动物对产坚果植物的自然更新有很大作用。然而, 对啮齿动物鉴别虫蛀种子的能力颇有争议。2001 年秋季在中国四川都江堰市实验林场, 以3 种比例(I₁∶S = 1∶1 , I₁∶S = 4∶1 和I₁∶I₂∶S = 1∶1∶1)供给啮齿动物4 种壳斗科种子: 栓皮栎( Quercus variabilis) 、枹树( Q. serrata) 、青冈( Cyclobalanopsis glauca) 和栲树( Castanopsis fargesii) 的3 种坚果型(即饱满种子(S) , 不含象虫的虫蛀种子(I₁) 和含象虫的虫蛀种子( I₂ ) 验证了啮齿动物能够准确地鉴别虫蛀种子这一假说。结果表明, 在3 种比例下4 种坚果的虫蛀种子的消失速率均慢于饱满种子。即使虫蛀种子的比例增加, 啮齿动物显著地搬走了更多的饱满种子(67%～92%) 。当虫蛀种子的比例增加时, 虫蛀种子就地消耗和拒绝的比例降低, 搬走比例增加。啮齿动物并不拒绝虫蛀种子, 这可能与它们的可利用性(如象虫可以作为蛋白质的补充) 和数量以及它们的觅食行为有关。结果证实啮齿动物能准确地鉴别虫蛀种子, 从而有区别地搬走并贮藏更多的饱满种子, 消耗一部分可以利用的虫蛀种子(包括其内的象虫) 。这样, 啮齿动物通过对饱满种子和虫蛀种子的鉴别和选择会影响不同种子的命运, 从而对这些坚果植物的自然更新产生影响。     

Bigger is not always better: conflicting selective pressures on seed size in Quercus ilex

Most theoretical treatments of the evolutionary ecology of offspring size assume a simple and direct effect of investment per offspring on offspring fitness. In this paper I experimentally determine the relationship between seed mass and several main fitness components of the oak Quercus ilex, to estimate phenotypic selection acting on seed mass during the early life cycle and to discover any potential selective conflicts occurring between different stages from dispersal to establishment. I found a positive effect of acorn size on most fitness components related to seedling establishment. Large size increased germination rate and seedling survival, accelerated germination timing, and enhanced seedling growth. Nevertheless, there was also a direct negative effect of acorn size on survival to predation, because large acorns were highly preferred by the main postdispersal seed predators at the study site, wild boars and wood mice. Because of the low probability of escape from predation, the fitness of large acorns estimated on this component was significantly lower than the fitness of smaller acorns. Therefore, seed size affected fitness in two different ways, yielding opposing and conflicting selective forces. These findings suggest that the general assumption that offspring fitness is a fixed positive function of seed size needs to be reconsidered for some systems. The existence of conflicting selection might explain the occurrence of an optimal seed size in some plant species without invoking a seed number-size trade-off.     

Prolonged diapause of specialist seed-feeders makes predator satiation unstable in masting of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Quercus crispula</Emphasis>

Quercus crispula (=Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata) is the predominant tree species in cool temperate, mixed broadleaf/conifer forests in northern Japan. We compared 11 years of data on acorn production in a population of Q. crispula, with data on seed-insect populations, to try to answer the following questions: (1) Does Q. crispula show a regular pattern of masting? (2) How long do principal seed predators remain in diapause? (3) How do the seed predators affect the pattern of predator satiation? Q. crispula showed a tendency to alternate bearing, with significant synchrony between individual trees. The principal acorn-feeding insects (Curculio spp. weevils), which infested 25%–70% of matured acorns, generally exhibited a prolonged diapause of 2 years. No significant negative relationship was found between the rate of injury by the weevils and the density of mature acorns, indicating that simple predator satiation fails due to the synchrony of the life-cycle of acorn-feeding insects and the periodical production of acorns. However, the rate of injury by the weevils was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of mature acorns to the number of weevil larvae that had matured 2 years previously. Thus, the proportion of sound acorns notably increased in a rich crop after a disturbance in alternate bearing. Prolonged diapause of specific seed predators is critical in determining the peak year of sound-seed production.     

壳斗科三种植物种子大小对昆虫寄生及种子存活率的影响

种子内的寄生昆虫可以严重影响种子的发育、损害种子活力。种子足余策略理论认为大种子有利于抵御和适应昆虫寄生取食,但动物最优觅食理论推测,大种子更易遭受昆虫寄生。为对这两种对立观点进行验证,本实验以青冈、苦槠和麻栎各2个种群的种子为材料,对昆虫寄生与完好种子间的体积和萌发率进行比较,并对寄生种子萌发率与种子体积的关系进行了分析。结果显示:(1)在6个种群的种子中,只有松阳麻栎和青冈种群的寄生种子体积大于完好种子,其余4个种群的寄生种子体积小于完好种子,但这种差异不显著;(2)所有寄生种子的整体萌发率(18%)显著低于完好种子(45.66%)(P<0.001),在不同种群内,寄生种子的萌发率也分别显著低于完好种子。(3)比较同种植物体积差异显著的寄生种子的萌发率发现,大种子总比小种子具有更高的萌发率,但差异不显著;在不同植物的寄生种子间比较时,体积最大的麻栎种子萌发率显著高于体积较小的青冈和苦槠种子。研究结果表明,象虫在种子上产卵时对大种子没有选择偏好,在昆虫寄生取食严重损害种子活力的压力下,大种子比小种子具有更强的耐受力。     

北京东灵山落叶阔叶林中辽东栎种子雨

在北京东灵山地区的一个落叶阔叶林中调查了辽东栎（Ｑｕｅｒｃｕｓ ｌｉａｏｔｕｎｇｅｎｓｉｓ Ｋｏｉｄｚ．）的种子雨。对于选定的４棵辽东栎中的３棵,树冠下的种子雨分布格局符合二次分布,具有很高的决定系数。由设置在树冠下的种子捕捉器收集的坚果数量来估计整棵树的种子雨。４棵树的种子雨中有活力的种子很少,变化范围从２６到２５９个。每棵树的树冠下的种子雨密度变化范围从０．７６到７．２６个／ｍ＾２。林中平均种     

Acorn crop size and pre-dispersal predation determine inter-specific differences in the recruitment of co-occurring oaks

The contribution of pre-dispersal seed predation to inter-specific differences in recruitment remains elusive. In species with no resistance mechanisms, differences in pre-dispersal predation may arise from differences in seed abundance (plant satiation) or in the ability of seeds to survive insect infestation (seed satiation). This study aimed to analyse the impact of pre-dispersal acorn predation by weevils in two co-occurring Mediterranean oaks (Quercus ilex and Quercus humilis) and to compare its relevance with other processes involved in recruitment. We monitored the patterns of acorn production and acorn infestation by weevils and we conducted experimental tests of acorn germination after weevil infestation, post-dispersal predation and seedling establishment in mixed forests. Monitoring and experimental data were integrated in a simulation model to test for the effects of pre-dispersal predation in recruitment. In both oaks pre-dispersal acorn infestation decreased with increasing acorn crop size (plant satiation). This benefited Q. ilex which exhibited stronger masting behaviour than Q. humilis, with almost a single and outstanding reproductive event in 6 years. Acorn infestation was more than twice as high in Q. humilis (47.0%) as in Q. ilex (20.0%) irrespective of the number of seeds produced by each species. Although germination of infested acorns (seed satiation) was higher in Q. humilis (60%) than in Q. ilex (21%), this could barely mitigate the higher infestation rate in the former species, to reduce seed loss. Conversely to pre-dispersal predation, no inter-specific differences were observed either in post-dispersal predation or seedling establishment. Our results indicate that pre-dispersal predation may contribute to differences in seed supply, and ultimately in recruitment, between co-existing oaks. Moreover, they suggest that seed satiation can barely offset differences in seed infestation rates. This serves as a warning against overemphasising seed satiation as a mechanism to overcome seed predation by insects. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Mismatch between the timing of oviposition and the seasonal optimum. The stochastic phenology of Mediterranean acorn weevils

1. The timing of reproduction is predicted to match the period of maximum food availability. In this sense, the case of many phytophagous insects in temperate regions is very illustrative, as their larvae usually depend on a resource only available for a limited period of time each year. 2. For 3 years the interactions between the weevil Curculio elephas and the Mediterranean Holm oak Quercus ilex were studied. Weevil larvae grow within the acorns, feeding on the cotyledons. The timing of oviposition will determine food availability for the larvae, as acorns stop growing once they are attacked. 3. Acorn temporal growing patterns did not change between years and food availability for larvae was at its highest in October, when temperature was still suitable for larval development. However, oviposition phenology did change between years. In 2002 females oviposited later, larvae grew within larger acorns, and their body mass was significantly higher than in 2003 or 2004, when females oviposited into early acorns. 4. Thus, weevils do not always adjust oviposition to the best possible feeding conditions for their offspring. Rather, they seem to maximise their own lifetime fitness, ovipositing as soon as they emerge in late summer. Emergence, in turn, depends strongly on stochastic events such as summer storms in the Mediterranean region. 5. Under a climate change perspective, the trend towards higher August rainfall recorded in our study area may alter oviposition phenology, with the subsequent cascade effects on weevil body size and fitness     

Oviposition preference and offspring performance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mechoris</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">ursulus</Emphasis> Roelofs (Coleoptera: Attelabidae)

Oak nut weevil (Mechoris ursulus Roelofs) females lay eggs in acorns and cut off the branch of oviposited acorns. We investigated the relationship between oviposition preference and offspring performance (growth and survival). M. ursulus appeared to estimate the size of an acorn by walking around it before and after oviposition. When we offered paired acorns of different sizes, females showed strong preference for larger acorns. In the field, egg-bearing acorns were larger than egg-free acorns in cut branches. A parallel series of experiments was conducted to assess the influence of acorn size on offspring performance. Larvae and newly emerged adults from larger acorns were heavier than those from smaller acorns. However, acorn size did not affect the survivorship of larvae. We also tested if M. ursulus avoided oviposited acorns, but there was no evidence that M. ursulus could assess the presence of eggs in acorns. Electronic Publication     

Acorn selection by Mexican jays: a test of a tri-trophic symbiotic relationship hypothesis

By caching acorns, jays serve as important dispersal agents for oak (Quercus) species. Yet little is known about which acorn characteristics affect selection by jays. In the traditional model of jay/oak symbiosis, large, brown, ripe acorns free of invertebrate parasites (e.g., Curculio acorn weevils) are selected by jays. Recently, it has been suggested that a tri-trophic relationship between oaks, jays, and weevils may have evolved to counter the negative dietary effects of acorn tannins. Under the tri-trophic model, jays would preferentially select acorns containing weevil larvae. We tested the assumptions that (1) acorns containing curculionid larvae exist in sufficient quantities to support jay populations and (2) jays can detect, and preferentially select, acorns containing weevil larvae, and investigated the cues by which jays select acorns. Captive Mexican jays (Aphelocomaultramarina) were presented Emory oak (Quercusemoryi) acorns in aviary feeding trials. Large, dense, viable acorns free of curculionid larvae were preferentially selected. Contrary to results of previous research, color did not affect selection. Acorn viability increased and curculionid larval occupancy decreased in adjacent savannas and isolated stands relative to existing oak woodland, perhaps favoring oak recruitment into adjacent lower-elevation grasslands. Our results compel us to reject the tri-trophic model for this system, and are consistent with the traditional jay/oak symbiosis model. Relatively long-distance dispersal of viable acorns favors Emory oak replacement, and spatial patterns of acorn viability and curculionid parasitism suggest expansion of Emory oak into adjacent low-elevation semi-arid grasslands. Received: 29 February 1996 / Accepted: 26 September 1996     

都江堰地区灌丛内迺栎橡子的捕食和搬运(英文)

从 2 0 0 0年 9月至 2 0 0 2年 1 2月 ,以四川都江堰常绿阔叶林灌丛内的优势种———栎 (Quercusserrata)为研究对象 ,研究了昆虫、鼠类和真菌对栎橡子的捕食和搬运。结果表明 :(1 )取食橡子的鼠类的群落结构和数量在年间差异较小 ,这可能与三年间栎橡子的产量相对稳定有关 ;(2 )栎橡子的虫蛀率在三年间存在显著性差异 ,范围在 1 4 1 7% - 32 4 9%之间 ;(3)鼠类的就地取食和搬运是影响种子库内橡子命运的主要因素 ;(4 )橡子虫蛀率的变化影响鼠类的觅食活动。鼠类对饱满橡子和虫蛀橡子的选择性取食和搬运可能影响许多坚果植物 (栎树 )的自然更新过程     

都江堰地区灌丛内袍栎橡子的捕食和搬运

从2000年9月至2002年12月,以四川都江堰常绿阔叶林灌丛内的优势种--枹栎(Quercus serrata)为研究对象,研究了昆虫、鼠类和真菌对枹栎橡子的捕食和搬运.结果表明(1)取食橡子的鼠类的群落结构和数量在年间差异较小,这可能与三年间袍栎橡子的产量相对稳定有关;(2)袍栎橡子的虫蛀率在三年间存在显著性差异,范围在14.17%-32.49%之间;(3)鼠类的就地取食和搬运是影响种子库内橡子命运的主要因素;(4)橡子虫蛀率的变化影响鼠类的觅食活动.鼠类对饱满橡子和虫蛀橡子的选择性取食和搬运可能影响许多坚果植物(栎树)的自然更新过程[动物学报50(4)535-540,2004].