Seed dispersal by Japanese marten <i>Martes melampus</i> in the subalpine shrubland of northern Japan

Abstract

The functions of carnivorous mammals as seed dispersers were studied during a snow‐free period of 2 years in the subalpine shrubland of northern Japan. Mammal appearances, which were recorded using three automatic cameras, were dominated by Japanese marten, Martes melampus (Wagner), followed by three carnivores (ermine, red fox, and raccoon dog) and two other mammals (field mouse and Japanese hare). Fecal analysis revealed that the martens dispersed seeds of 11 species (eight woody and three herbaceous plants), which included a vine species that is an inhabitant of lower elevation sites. Fruit weight and size, and flesh weight and volume of the fleshy‐fruited species foraged by the martens were significantly greater than those that were not foraged. These facts indicate that the marten plays a key role as a relatively long‐distance seed disperser for major component species with large and flesh‐rich fruits in the subalpine shrubland.