Characteristics of fruits used by the Japanese marten—a review

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • テンが利用する果実の特徴―総説
  • テン ガ リヨウ スル カジツ ノ トクチョウ : ソウセツ

Search this article

Abstract

<p>Fifteen papers on the food habits of the Japanese marten (Martes melampus) were reviewed in order to assess which types of fruits martens prefer. A total of 97 species and 11 genera were listed. Among the 97 species, as many as 89 species were fleshy fruits. The fruit of Hovenia dulcis is morphologically a drupe, but the pedicle swells and tastes and smells sweet and thus functions as a “fleshy fruit”. The other 8 species were dry fruits. Among them, the fruits of Euonymus hamiltonianus and Celastrus orbiculatus contain “fleshy” seeds. Two capsules of Anacardiaceae contain high lipids. Fruits of 76 species (78.4%) are colorful and 70 species (72.2%) are small (< 10 mm in diameter), suggesting that these typical bird-dispersed fruits are also preferred by the marten. Large and dull-colored fruits included 3 species, and Actinidia arguta and H. dulcis showed high frequencies. The growth forms and the habitats seemed to be biased to lianas and forest-edge plants, respectively. This review showed that the marten fed on many small and colorful bird-dispersed fruits, as well as large and dull-colored fruits such as A. arguta and H. dulcis.</p>

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top