Seed use by vertebrates and invertebrates in the tallgrass prairie [1]

Use of seeds by vertebrates and invertebrates was assessed during July through August 1994 in tallgrass prairie in eastern Kansas. Two seed trays were placed
at each of 40 stations with one tray available only to vertebrates and one tray available only to invertebrates during day or night. Two seed types, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne), were used because of their different sizes :llld shapes. The greatest amount of seed removed was by diurnal vertebrates followed nocturnal vertebrates and then invertebrates. The large seed type (proso millet) was preferred by both diurnal and nocturnal vertebrates. whereas invertebrates showed no prefrence for seed size. The impact of vertebrates on seeds appeared to be greater than the impact of invertebrates in tallgrass prairie in summer.