Frequency-dependent seedling predation by rodents: growth and survival of <i>Quercus wutaishanica</i> in two habitats

Abstract Rodents attack oak (Quercus wutaishanica) seeds based on their sizes and frequencies before germination. However, the predation of post-germination (seedling cotyledons) is not well studied. Here, we only tested preference rodents for Q. wutaishanica seedling cotyledons frequency large- versus small-seeded (FLS), but also evaluated effects seedlings growth survival in different habitats. We transplanted with FLS set as 9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7 1:9, respectively, forest gap under canopy Liupan Mountains National Nature Reserve Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Northwest China. The results showed that: (i) 1–7 days after transplanting seedlings, prefer cotyledon large-seeded seedings while were preferred 8–60 days, positive frequency-dependent was observed. (ii) preyed on, apical buds bitted off, whole uprooted, which mostly occurred canopy. At end a growing season, rate gaps more than twice that canopies. (iii) If would be affected, severely inhibited when bud bitten off. These provide new insights into coexistence between phenotypes, reveal ecological characteristics deciduous Quercus regeneration.