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Granivore seed-size preferences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Troy M. Radtke
Troy M. Radtke*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
*
*Correspondence Fax: +1-306-337-2410 Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Although seed-size preference by granivores is relative to the sizes of seeds offered by researchers, preferences are often inappropriately discussed and interpreted as if they are for absolute seed sizes. Granivores often prefer relatively small seeds in forests and relatively large seeds in herbaceous communities, although the absolute size of preferred seeds in each is often similar. These results are consistent with predictions of optimal foraging theory. Researchers are encouraged to take heed of optimal foraging theory and both relative and absolute seed size when interpreting seed-size preferences.

Keywords

absolute seed sizegranivoreoptimal foragingrelative seed sizeseed massseed-size preference
Type
Research Opinion
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 81 - 83
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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