Data_seed_preference_Vertebrate_Biology.xlsx

In our study, we aimed to broaden the existing research by investigating the impact of personality traits on food preferences for forest tree seeds in two rodent species: the bank vole and yellow-necked mouse. Under laboratory conditions, behavioural parameters were evaluated in 33 individuals. Using LMM, we calculated for each individual the intercepts (considered personality trait) in freezing duration and exploration duration (latency reaching the farthest point of the test box). For the preference test, seeds of several typical forest tree species were selected as follows: Common hornbeam, European beech, Norway spruce, Scots pine, wild cherry, common oak and small-leaved lime. Ivlev’s electivity index (IEI) was calculated for each individual and seed species. In all GLMMs (7 tree seeds), the testing day was a significant variable. In seeds of spruce, pine and lime the clear positive selection at the beginning decreased during the test, in hornbeam and oak the selection was the opposite. In five models also the personality trait (exploration duration) and in two models for oak and lime the rodent species were significant variables. Personality traits can create structured food niches.