plantgranivore

The plantgranivore is a term used to describe organisms whose diet is dominated by seeds produced by plants, a feeding mode more commonly called granivory. While not a formal taxonomic group, plantgranivory spans multiple taxa, including birds, mammals, and some insects, and encompasses both specialists focused on a few seed types and generalists that consume a range of seeds.

Dietary traits and examples: Many passerine birds such as finches and sparrows are classic plantgranivores, feeding on grasses, weeds, and other small seeds. Small mammals like mice and chipmunks gather and cache seeds, while seed beetles and weevils feed on seeds inside pods or fruits. Seed size, coat hardness, and chemical defenses influence which plant species are exploited, and feeding activity often aligns with seasonal seed production.

Ecological roles: Plantgranivory affects plant population dynamics by reducing seed survival, yet cached seeds can promote dispersal and future recruitment through scatter-hoarding. In some systems, gut passage of seeds through animals can enhance germination or break seed dormancy, while strong seed defenses and selective foraging help shape plant community composition and evolution of plant defenses.

Study and conservation: Researchers study plantgranivory through seed-removal experiments, direct observation, pellet or fecal analysis, and stable isotope methods. As a functional feeding group, plantgranivores influence crop yields, pest dynamics, and natural plant communities. Human activities such as habitat loss, agricultural practices, and supplemental feeding can alter plantgranivory patterns and associated ecological interactions.