Abstract

ABSTRACT Hare pellets contribute greatly to the seed dispersal of a berry-producing shrub, Gaultheria miqueliana Takeda (Ericaceae), on Mount Koma, northern Japan. Numerous seeds of G. miqueliana germinated from the hare pellets (122.2 ± 7.3/pellet, mean ± SE), confirming that the pellets potentially had a role in the seed dispersal. Lab-experiments confirmed that the seeds of G. miqueliana needed light for full germination without cold stratification. Besides, hare pellets were collected from a post-mined peatland in Sarobetsu Mire, northern Japan, where G. miqueliana was not distributed but two berry-producing ericaceous species were distributed. No seeds germinated on the pellets collected from the Mire. These results suggested that the tight relationships between hare and berry-producing shrubs were species-specific.

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