Ecology December 2016 PMID 27912013

Sprouting as a gardening strategy to obtain superior supplementary food: evidence from a seed-caching marine worm.

Zhenchang Zhu, Jim van Belzen, Tao Hong, Tadao Kunihiro, Tom Ysebaert, Peter M J Herman, Tjeerd J Bouma

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Mentions

26
Peak: 4 in Jul 2022
across 6 sources since Oct 2016

Extended reach

1,139,349
potential audience

Total likes

19,690

Video views

1,130,637

Mentions per month

Oct 2016 – Jul 2023

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook3 posts
  • News3 articles
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall conversation features repeated mentions of ragworms 'farming' seeds, using words like 'gardening' and 'harvesting,' which demonstrates recognition and curiosity about the ecological behavior. The tone is casual and celebratory, reflecting acknowledgment of the study's intriguing findings while not delving into technical details or implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the idea that ragworms exhibit a form of 'gardening' behavior by collecting and sprouting seeds, reflecting general agreement with the article's findings.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate curiosity, with mentions of facts and celebrations like #InternationalPolychaeteDay, indicating some level of enthusiasm but not deep engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments repeat similar ideas, such as 'ragworms are gardening,' suggesting moderate involvement without detailed analysis or critique.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight awareness of the unique behavior and its ecological significance, implying a modest recognition of its broader importance.

Abstract in brief

  • This study reveals that the marine worm Hediste diversicolor exhibits a unique "gardening" behavior by deliberately burying seeds, like cordgrass, in its burrows to protect them from water loss, and then sprouting these seeds to access higher nutritional value.
  • The research involved video recordings and experiments showing that the worms don’t eat the seeds until they sprout or the husk is removed, indicating a process similar to cultivation.
  • The findings suggest that sprouting could be a common strategy among seed-collecting animals to obtain nutrients from well-protected seeds, driven by nutritional needs and physical barriers like seed husks.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFacts #InternationalPolychaeteDay The Open Access #OA paper in Ecology can be found here: https://t.co/HPG6LgHRMZ https://t.co/ppz0xUDzG8

Jun 30, 2023 · 9 likes · 1 share · 1,203 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFacts #InternationalPolychaeteDay The Open Access #OA paper in Ecology can be found here: https://t.co/HPG6LgHRMZ https://t.co/85OK7coB61

Jul 1, 2022 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 1,203 followers View post →
Some Kind of David
@YonderDavid · X

The gardening behavior of the estuary ragworm is very simple, consisting of planting and harvest with no cultivation. It brings seeds home. As it cannot eat husked cordgrass seeds, it just buries them. When the seeds germinate, it harvests the sprout. https://t.co/Jh7hGImrFm https://t.co/2WU5a6kQcW

Jul 9, 2023 · 2 likes · 274 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

@NL_Wetenschap https://t.co/nQ3mdhEqg4

Nov 1, 2021 · 1 like · 1,203 followers View post →
Some Kind of David
@YonderDavid · X

@TornadoNate @RizomaSchool Marine ragworms farm cordgrass seeds in their burrows. https://t.co/Jh7hGImZuU

Oct 10, 2022 · 1 like · 274 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

@NL_Wetenschap https://t.co/nQ3mdhEqg4

Nov 1, 2021 · 1,203 followers View post →

All mentions

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Some Kind of David
@YonderDavid · X

The gardening behavior of the estuary ragworm is very simple, consisting of planting and harvest with no cultivation. It brings seeds home. As it cannot eat husked cordgrass seeds, it just buries them. When the seeds germinate, it harvests the sprout. https://t.co/Jh7hGImrFm https://t.co/2WU5a6kQcW

Jul 9, 2023 · 2 likes · 274 followers View post →
Scouts4Science
@Scouts4Science · X

RT @JimvanBelzen: Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFac…

Jul 1, 2023 · 1 share · 132 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFacts #InternationalPolychaeteDay The Open Access #OA paper in Ecology can be found here: https://t.co/HPG6LgHRMZ https://t.co/ppz0xUDzG8

Jun 30, 2023 · 9 likes · 1 share · 1,203 followers View post →
Some Kind of David
@YonderDavid · X

@TornadoNate @RizomaSchool Marine ragworms farm cordgrass seeds in their burrows. https://t.co/Jh7hGImZuU

Oct 10, 2022 · 1 like · 274 followers View post →
Andrew Gibson
@SpurnAndyG · X

RT @JimvanBelzen: Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFac…

Jul 2, 2022 · 3 shares · 769 followers View post →
Peter Lawrence
@ScanningScience · X

RT @JimvanBelzen: Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFac…

Jul 1, 2022 · 3 shares · 812 followers View post →
月島もんじゃ
@monja_jp · X

RT @JimvanBelzen: Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFac…

Jul 1, 2022 · 3 shares · 408 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

Ragworms are #gardening the coastal mudflats by collecting seeds into their burrows to sprout them before eating #WormFacts #InternationalPolychaeteDay The Open Access #OA paper in Ecology can be found here: https://t.co/HPG6LgHRMZ https://t.co/85OK7coB61

Jul 1, 2022 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 1,203 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

@NL_Wetenschap https://t.co/nQ3mdhEqg4

Nov 1, 2021 · 1 like · 1,203 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

@NL_Wetenschap https://t.co/nQ3mdhEqg4

Nov 1, 2021 · 1,203 followers View post →
JimvanBelzen
@JimvanBelzen · X

https://t.co/fBT7C121Cp

Jul 1, 2021 · 1,203 followers View post →