title: Estimated Seed Shadow Generated by Japanese Martens(Martes melampus): Comparison with Forest-Dwelling Animals in Japan.
abstract: To evaluate the seed shadow generated by wild Japanese martens (Martes melampus), we combined data on their ranging behavior from the northern foot of Mt. Fuji, central Japan (seven males and three females) with data on gut passage time obtained from martens in Toyama Municipal Family Park Zoo (three males and one female). The movement distances varied, and mean distances for 0-1, 2-3, and 4-5 h intervals were 152.4, 734.7, and 1,162.4 m, respectively, with no significant sex difference. The mean gut passage time of ingested seeds was 7.4 h (range: 0.6-51.7 h), and two-thirds were defecated within 12 h. Seeds of fleshy fruits was frequently transported to 501-1,000 m, and 20% of ingested seeds were transported > 1,000 m from feeding sites. We found positive correlations between body size and home range of the animals in Japan and their seed dispersal distances. We conclude that Japanese martens are medium-range dispersers that can transport seeds from the source to open habitats conducive for germination and/or growth, partly due to scent marking behaviors.
authors: 1 Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Aichi 484-8506, Japan.|† These authors contributed equally to this work.
authors: Yamato
authors: Y
authors: Tsuji
authors: 2 Wildlife Management Office, Tokyo 194-0215, Japan.
authors: Tadanobu
authors: T
authors: Okumura
authors: 3 Mount Fuji Research Institute, Yamanashi 403-0005, Japan.
authors: Masahiko
authors: M
authors: Kitahara
authors: 2 Wildlife Management Office, Tokyo 194-0215, Japan.|† These authors contributed equally to this work.
authors: Zhaowen
authors: Z
authors: Jiang
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D065928:Forests; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D045969:Mustelidae / Q000502:physiology*; D058614:Seed Dispersal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Japan; endozoochory; home range; mustelid; seed shadow