Consistencies in post-dispersal seed predation of temperate fleshy-fruited species among seasons, years and sites

Seed predation of 12 fleshy-fruited species was recorded in experimental dishes under early successional forest in south-west Germany (four seasons 1992 and 1993) and in south England (summer 1995). The mean time for three or more seeds of a species to be removed was taken as a measure of granivore preferences. Correlations of these preferences with several physical and nutritional seed traits were tested.