Effects of seed mass on seed foraging behaviors of two sympatric rodent species

Throughout a semi-natural experiment, we investigated seed use by two sympatric rodent species of different sizes, Apodemus flavicollis and A. sylvaticus, focusing on how Quercus cerris acorn mass affected seed predation, removal and dispersal by mice. A total of 20 adult A. flavicollis and 25 adult A. sylvaticus were individually tested in an open-air experimental enclosures. 40 Q. cerris acorns were collected in the same forest where the rodents had been cought and were then weighed with a digital balance (to the nearest 0.01 g) and individually marked with a univocal alphanumeric code written on the seed shell surface. Each test started when we placed the 40-acorn sample on the ground at the center of the enclosure and lasted for three consecutive days. At the end of the test, the final seed fate of each acorn or acorn leftover were recorded and classified as: (1) eaten (partially or completely) in situ (i.e., center of the enclosure), (2) not eaten in situ, (3) removed and..., , # Effects of seed mass on seed foraging behaviors of two sympatric rodent species of different sizes

## Description of data

Semi-natural experiments revealed that seed use, and the consequent seed fate, can be strongly influenced by seed mass in Apodemus flavicollis and A. sylvaticus, two wood mouse species that often coexist in European forests. In addition, seed mass-related foraging behaviors differences emerged between the two species during the experiments. These findings highlight the importance of considering species-specific foraging behaviors when evaluating the ecological role of co-occurring hoarding rodents in seed dispersal.

Originators: Stefania Gasperini

Date of data collection: 2018-2019

Geographic location(s) of data collection: La Selva Forest (43°13ʹN, 11°4ʹE, Central Italy)

## Data files and variables

**Gasperini_et_al._2025_DB_PREDATION_MODEL.csv**

Dataset for the predation model reporting data on whether an acorn is eaten or not.

* ID_ANIMAL: identificati...,