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First report of fern (Culcita macrocarpa) spore consumption by a small mammal (Apodemus sylvaticus)

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Abstract

Few vertebrates are known to consume ferns regularly. Several species of mammals consume leaves to some extent but the consumption of fern spores is much rare. In Galicia (Northwest Spain) we studied the seasonal variation in the consumption of Culcita macrocarpa fertile leaves (i.e. with spores) in two populations (Capelada and Eume), assessed whether consumption rate increased with fern population size, and evaluated whether the consumer was a spore predator or a spore disperser. Consumption began in December and finished by mid February, and occurred before spore release, which happened later in Capelada than in Eume, probably influenced by differences in altitude. The consumer was identified as Apodemus sylvaticus by DNA analysis of its droppings and by capture of live animals. Throughout Galicia there was a significant increase in fern consumption rate as the population size of C. macrocarpa increased. Germination tests from droppings were carried out in 14 dishes but only in two dishes 1% and 0.3% of the spores germinated. Our results suggest that woodmouse can disperse spores of C. macrocarpa, although most of the spores were digested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Research (IMAR), Department of Zoology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal

    M. L. Arosa & J. A. Ramos

  2. Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    L. G. Quintanilla

  3. Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, CF10 3US, Cardiff, UK

    D. Brown

Authors
  1. M. L. Arosa
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  2. J. A. Ramos
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  3. L. G. Quintanilla
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  4. D. Brown
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Correspondence to J. A. Ramos.

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Arosa, M.L., Ramos, J.A., Quintanilla, L.G. et al. First report of fern (Culcita macrocarpa) spore consumption by a small mammal (Apodemus sylvaticus). Mamm Biol 75, 115–121 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2009.05.009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2009.05.009

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