Plant hormones mediate the interaction between oak acorn germination and rodent hoarding behaviour

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.19424
• Publication Date: 2023-12-01T04:45:02Z
• Authors: Ying Li; Xifu Yang; Enping Feng; Kunming Zhao; Zhibin Zhang
• Keywords: Hoarding (animal behavior); Seed predation; Acorn

Summary The interaction between animals and plants for seed dispersal predation has received much attention; however, the underlying physiological mechanisms driving responses of both seeds remain unclear. We conducted a series behaviour physiology experiments to examine role plant hormones in regulating germination rodent hoarding Quercus variabilis Leopoldamys edwardsi systems. found that acorns were partially consumed by rodents had increased gibberellin (GA) levels shortened time. Rodents preferred scatter‐hoarded abscisic acid (ABA)‐treated intact but germinated GA‐treated acorns; such treatment differences disappeared inactivated boiling water. Moreover, we seven potential compounds may be linked behaviour. Our results indicate oak showed rapid when facing risk, while could identify status hoarding; GA ABA play an important rodents.