The expansion of the small topillo puts at risk the tree species producing acorns
The expansion of the small topillo puts at risk the tree species producing acorns
The expansion of the small topillo puts at risk the tree species producing acorns
A study carried out by researchers from the University Institute of Research in Sustainable Forest Management (iuFOR, UVa-INIA mixed center) in the Palencia Campus (Spain), warns that the expansion of the small topillo ('Microtus arvalis') by the Plateau North could put at risk the natural regeneration of Quercus trees, acorns-producing species, since they depredate these fruits in a different way (by the embryo zone) than other species of rodents traditionally present in the area.
In an experimental work with three species of rodents, wild mouse ('Apodemus sylvaticus') and Moorish mouse ('Mus spretus') - two species that include acorns in their usual diet - and common vole ('Microtus arvalis') - , a priori, it does not include them. Researchers have confirmed that the three species consume the acorns, but the first two preserve the embryo, confirming the mutualistic relationship with Quercus species, while the peasant vole destroys the embryo.
"Until now, it was considered that the relationship of rodents with the species that produce acorns was counterproductive, because they preyed on them. However, over time we have seen that these rodents have a collaborative role, by disseminating them by transporting the acorns and storing them underground, and then eating them progressively to avoid damaging the embryo, "DiCYT said in statements to José María del Arco, co-author with David Beltrán and Carolina Martínez Ruiz.
Acorn eaten by one of the rodents of the experiment. (Photo: José María del Arco)
As for the consumption of the acorn, researchers have observed that the wild mouse and the Moorish mouse, "that have been eating acorns here since ancient times," process them in a very peculiar way. "At the narrowest end of the acorn is the embryo, which is the most important part, since it is what forms a new seedling. The mice eat the acorns on the opposite side, giving an opportunity for the embryo to germinate. In previous studies it had been seen that those partially eaten acorns could germinate and become a new plant, confirming that collaboration ", details Del Arco.
On the other hand, the researchers wondered what would happen if the peasant topillo, which has expanded to the Meseta from the Cantabrian Mountains, where it feeds on tender green material, also consumed acorns. With the extension of irrigation this rodent is finding food, but in case of droughts or in population peaks, when it forms important pests, it could look for other sources of food, such as acorns.
"We have seen that the vole consumes acorns differently than the other two species of rodents, since it begins with the part where the embryo is found, the narrowest part, which is the most comfortable for them. And when eating the embryo the acorn is useless to germinate, "says the researcher, who warns that if the vole moves towards the wooded areas in search of food, it can destroy the acorns and put at risk the natural expansion of these trees.
Quercus species include oaks, gall oaks, oaks, cork oaks and kermes oaks, which make up much of the base of the forests of Castile and Leon. Hence the importance of this study. "The three species mainly prefer holm oak acorns, which have a higher amount of protein and sugars, and are juicier." On the contrary, Del Arco adds, the three species of rodents reject cork oak acorns, "which have more concentration of tannins and, therefore, worse flavor".
The predilection of the wild mouse and the Moorish mouse for the holm oak acorn has probably influenced, according to the researchers, that this Quercus species is the most widespread in Castilla y León. (Source: Cristina G. Pedraz / DICYT)
.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',
'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');
fbq('init', '369524843414444');
fbq('track', 'PageView');
.
SOURCE LINK ERESVIRAL.COM https://www.beviral.online
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario