Change in nutrient content of foods stored by eastern woodrats (Neotoma florida)

TitleChange in nutrient content of foods stored by eastern woodrats (Neotoma florida)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsPost, DM
JournalJournal of Mammalogy
Volume73
Pagination835 -839
Accession NumberKNZ00374
Abstract

I determined changes in nutrient content of plants cached by eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana) after 60 and 120 days storage in a cache environment. The energy content of dogwood fruits (Cornus drummondii) declined significantly due to a decline in lipid content. Concentrations of other nutrients in dogwood fruits remained relatively stable as did nutrient concentrations of green ash seed (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and redbud seed (Cercis canadensis). However, some small fluctuations in nutrients were observed. The decrease in energy content of cache material may have a significant negative impact on some woodrats that have only a limited amount of food stored in caches.

DOI10.2307/1382204