Abstract: Predation and dispersal of Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. acorns by Chinese Rock squirrel ( Sciurotamias davidianus ) and Eurasian jay ( Garrulus glandarius ) were examined in a Pinus tabulaefotrais Carr. forest in Dongling Mountain. Both of them were important acorn dispersal agents. Chinese Rock squirrels frequently forage food in this forest. They consumed a small portion of atoms in situ, while they transported large quantities of atoms in their big cheek pouches. Eurasian jays have great capacity to transport acorns, although they were uncommon visitors to this forest. They carry acorns in their sublingual pouches to other forest. Of the 18 acorns seatterhoarded by a Chinese Rock squirrel, only 3 remained in two different caches 111 days after they were cached. These results indicate that vertebrates play an important role in acorn dispersal and seedling establishment of Quercus liaotungensis.

Key words: Quercus liaotungensis, Chinese Rock squirrel, Eurasian jay, Predation and dispersal