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The strength of seeds and their destruction by granivorous insects

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Abstract

The influence of seed structure and strength on their destruction by granivores is central to understanding the dynamics of granivore-plant interactions. For up to nine seed species, the effects of seed size (cm3), mass (mg), density (mg/cm3) and coat strength (MPa) on the damage inflicted by three post-dispersal granivores (Harpalus pensylvanicus, Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis, and Gryllus pennsylvanicus) were evaluated. Seed destruction rates by G. pennsylvanicus were statistically unrelated to the size and toughness of the seeds. Seed densities significantly affected their destruction by A. sanctaecrucis and H. pensylvanicus, as did seed size, mass, and strength in H. pensylvanicus under choice conditions. The carabid beetles destroyed more of the small, denser seeds with stronger seed coats. The results show that different granivores are able to distinguish the structural strength and physical density of seeds as well as seed size. The relative ability of granivores to detect these seed characteristics offers a way in which diverse communities of post-dispersal insect granivores can persist within a single habitat. The authors redefine how the strength of biological structures should be evaluated in ecological studies, using guidelines commonplace in the field of engineering.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Alyssa Bechen, Gabriella Carrasco, Jenna Carsrud, Janet Fergen, Matt Jones, Lacey Kruse, Juan Carlos Laso, and Malissa Mayer for technical assistance with conducting the research and collating the data. Frank Drummond and Louis Hesler provided helpful comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation by the USDA for its use.

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  1. North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 2923 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD, 57006, USA

    Jonathan G. Lundgren & Kurt A. Rosentrater

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  1. Jonathan G. Lundgren
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  2. Kurt A. Rosentrater
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Correspondence to Jonathan G. Lundgren.

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Handling Editor: Stanislav Gorb

The U.S. Government’s right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged

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Lundgren, J.G., Rosentrater, K.A. The strength of seeds and their destruction by granivorous insects. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 1, 93–99 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-007-9008-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-007-9008-1

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