Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White

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dc.contributor.advisorBronner, Gary Nen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorMidgley Jeremy Jen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorWhite, Joseph Douglas Mandlaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-15T10:33:14Z
dc.date.available2015-09-15T10:33:14Z
dc.date.issued2013en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis study aimed to better understand the role of rodents as seed predators and dispersers in the fynbos biome at De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa in May and June, 2013. Based on previous studies I hypothesised that the large, nut-like seeds of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) are scatter-hoarded by rodents and that rodent seed choices and seed fates are affected by seed size and hull thickness. Field trials using three seed types showed that smaller seeds with a high reward and low processing cost were consumed significantly(p<0.01) more than large, thick hulled seeds. Application of wire tags to facilitate discovery of relocated seeds had no significant influence on seed choice (p>0.05), but further research should be conducted to determine if spooling of C. argenteum seeds influences rodent seed choice. Smaller seeds with a high-reward and low processing cost showed a significantly greater percentage of usage (p<0.01) where seed stations were encountered and exploited. Rhabdomys pumilio was confirmed as being the most common murid at the study site, however, it seems unlikely that it scatter-hoards C. argenteum seeds, as no consumption or burial of seeds was observed. However, R. pumilio did show an interest in C. argenteum seeds and attempted to consume some seeds or carried seeds over distances not significantly different (p>0.05) from the observed distances between nearest neighbour C.argenteum plants before discarding them on the soil. Additionally, the maximum distance R. pumilio moved C. argenteum seeds was commensurate with the maximum distance between nearest neighbour C. argenteum stands, so the end fate of the seeds remains unknown. Further research should account for seasonal variability in scatter-hoarding behaviour.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationWhite, J. D. M. (2013). <i>Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14027en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationWhite, Joseph Douglas Mandla. <i>"Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14027en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationWhite, J. 2013. Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - White, Joseph Douglas Mandla AB - This study aimed to better understand the role of rodents as seed predators and dispersers in the fynbos biome at De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa in May and June, 2013. Based on previous studies I hypothesised that the large, nut-like seeds of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) are scatter-hoarded by rodents and that rodent seed choices and seed fates are affected by seed size and hull thickness. Field trials using three seed types showed that smaller seeds with a high reward and low processing cost were consumed significantly(p<0.01) more than large, thick hulled seeds. Application of wire tags to facilitate discovery of relocated seeds had no significant influence on seed choice (p>0.05), but further research should be conducted to determine if spooling of C. argenteum seeds influences rodent seed choice. Smaller seeds with a high-reward and low processing cost showed a significantly greater percentage of usage (p<0.01) where seed stations were encountered and exploited. Rhabdomys pumilio was confirmed as being the most common murid at the study site, however, it seems unlikely that it scatter-hoards C. argenteum seeds, as no consumption or burial of seeds was observed. However, R. pumilio did show an interest in C. argenteum seeds and attempted to consume some seeds or carried seeds over distances not significantly different (p>0.05) from the observed distances between nearest neighbour C.argenteum plants before discarding them on the soil. Additionally, the maximum distance R. pumilio moved C. argenteum seeds was commensurate with the maximum distance between nearest neighbour C. argenteum stands, so the end fate of the seeds remains unknown. Further research should account for seasonal variability in scatter-hoarding behaviour. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2013 T1 - Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White TI - Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14027 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/14027
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationWhite JDM. Seed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla White. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2013 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14027en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherSeed Predationen_ZA
dc.titleSeed predation and potential dispersal of Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) nuts by the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) / Joseph Douglas Mandla Whiteen_ZA
dc.typeBachelor Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelHonours
dc.type.qualificationnameBSc (Hons)en_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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