Seed preferences by desert rodents based on levels of mouldiness

Large species of kangaroo rats (family Heteromyidae) make extensive underground caches of seeds. During collection and storage, seeds become inoculated with fungal spores, most of which are common pernicious storage moulds in human agriculture systems. The moulds and their metabolites may be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the species of mould and the growth conditions. Feeding experiments were conducted to determine the preferences for mouldy seeds by Dipodomys spectabilis. Results showed that kangaroo rats prefer slightly mouldy seeds over very mouldy seeds, dry seeds, and unmouldy, imbibed seeds, apparently taking advantage of beneficial effects of moulds while avoiding the liabilities.