Seed caching and cache pilferage by three rodent species in a temperate forest in the Xiaoxinganling Mountains

Although differences in food-hoarding tactics both reflect a behavioral response to cache pilferage among rodent species and may help explain their coexistence, differentiation in cache pilfering abilities among sympatric rodents with different hoarding strategies is seldom addressed. We carried out semi-natural enclosure experiments to investigate seed hoarding tactics among three sympatric rodent species (Tamias sibiricus, Apodemus peninsulae and Clethrionomys rufocanus) and the relationship of their pilfering abilities at the inter- and intraspecific levels. Our results showed that T. sibiricus exhibited a relatively stronger pilfering ability than A. peninsulae and C. rufocanus, as indicated by its higher recovery rate of artificial caches. Meanwhile A. peninsulae showed a medium pilfering ability and C. rufocanus displayed the lowest ability. We also noted that both cache size and cache depth significantly affected cache recovery in all three species. T. sibiricus scatter-hoarded more seeds than it larder-hoarded, A. peninsulae larder-hoarded more than scatter-hoarded, and C. rufocanus acted as a pure larder-hoarder. In T. sibiricus, individuals with lower pilfering abilities tended to scatter hoard seeds, indicating an intraspecific variation in hoarding propensity. Collectively, these results indicated that sympatric rodent species seem to deploy different food hoarding tactics that allow their coexistence in the temperate forests, suggesting a strong connection between hoarding strategy and pilfering ability.

Seed caching and cache pilferage by three rodent species in a temperate forest in the Xiaoxinganling Mountains

Although differences in food-hoarding tactics both reflect a behavioral response to cache pilferage among rodent species and may help explain their coexistence,differentiation in cache pilfering abilities among sympatric rodents with different hoarding strategies is seldom addressed.We carried out semi-natural enclosure experiments to investigate seed hoarding tactics among three sympatric rodent species(Tamias sibiricus,Apodemus peninsulae and Clethrionomys rufocanus)and the relationship of their pilfering abilities at the inter-and intraspecific levels.Our results showed that T.sibiricus exhibited a relatively stronger pilfering ability than A.peninsulae and C.rufocanus,as indicated by its higher recovery rate of artificial caches.Meanwhile A.peninsulae showed a medium pilfering ability and C.rufocanus displayed the lowest ability.We also noted that both cache size and cache depth significantly affected cache recovery in all three species.T.sibiricus scatter-hoarded more seeds than it larder-hoarded,A.peninsulae larder-hoarded more than scatter-hoarded,and C.rufocanus acted as a pure larder-hoarder.In T.sibiricus,individuals with lower pilfering abilities tended to scatter hoard seeds,indicating an intraspecific variation in hoarding propensity.Collectively,these results indicated that sympatric rodent species seem to deploy different food hoarding tactics that allow their coexistence in the temperate forests,suggesting a strong connection between hoarding strategy and pilfering ability.

Predictors of functional independence, quality of life, and return to work in patients with burn injuries in China's Mainland

Background:Burn injury may be associated with long-term rehabilitation and disability,while research studies on the functional performance after injuries,quality of life(QOL),and abilities to return to work of burn patients are limited.These outcomes are related not just to the degree and nature of injuries,but also to the socio-economical background of the society.This study aimed to identify the factors which might affect burn patients’abilities to reintegrate back to the society based on a sample in China's Mainland.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to collect data of demographic characteristics,medical data about burn injuries,physical and psychological status,and self-perceived QOL at the initial phase and upon discharge from a rehabilitation hospital,timing of rehabilitation,and duration of rehabilitation intervention.Four hundred fifteen patients with burn injuries were recruited in the study.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to obtain a model to predict the functional abilities and the perceived QOL at discharge and their changes during rehabilitation,as well as the post-injury work status within 6 months after discharge.Results:The functional performance at discharge and its change were significantly predicted by the functional abilities and QOL at the admission,duration of treatment,timing of rehabilitation,payer source,and total body surface area burned.The perceived QOL at discharge and its change were significantly predicted by the baseline QOL at admission and duration of treatment.The significant predictors of work status within 6 months post-discharge included age,education,payer source,total body surface area burned,perceived QOL,and bodily pain at admission.Conclusions:The present study identified a number of factors affecting the rehabilitation outcomes of people with burn injuries.Identification of these predictors may help clinicians assess the rehabilitation potential of burn survivors and assist in resource allocation.Policy makers should ensure that resources are adequate to improve the outcomes based on these factors.