Consumption of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by rodents in different vegetation types in Yuemei, eastern Taiwan

• Main Authors: Tzu-Ang Lee, 李子昂
• Other Authors: Hai-Yin Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/89919834846283394974

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 自然資源管理研究所 === 97 === Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts associated with vascular plants. Small mammals are potential dispersers of AMF by defecation of viable spores after ingestion. This study were to expound the relationships AMF, vegetation and rodents in an abandoned field in Hualien, eastern Taiwan. Rodents were captured in 43 plots in four seasons from fall, 2006 to summer, 2007. The abundance and presence of AMF spores in rodent fecal pellets were examined. Floristic composition and structure of each plot were surveyed. The abundance of spores in soil were estimated from soil samples collected in 15 plots in summer 2007 to examine its relation with mycophagy by rodents. Plots were classified into 5 habitat types dominated by different grass species. Fecal pellets from 2745 rodetns were examined. There was a significant positive correlation between the abundance and presence of spores in rodent pellets in all seasons. The abundance and presence of fecal spores differed significantly among rodent species and seasons, but not among habitat types. No difference was found in the abundance of spores in soil between habitat types. The abundance and presence of fecal spores in striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) were significantly higher than other species. However, they were not correlated with the abundence of spores in soil. Seasonal variation in mycophagy by rodents may be affected by floristic phenology, while the similar pattern among habitat types remains unexplained. Detailed study on foraging movement and nutrient requirement of striped field mice may help to illuminate the higher tendency of mycophagy of the species.