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Inter-population differences in the tolerance of a marsupial folivore to plant secondary metabolites

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 07:27 authored by DeGabriel, JL, Moore, BD, Shipley, LA, Krockenberger, AK, Wallis, IR, Christopher JohnsonChristopher Johnson, Foley, WJ
Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) strongly inXuence diet selection by mammalian herbivores. Concen- trations of PSMs vary within and among plant species, and across landscapes. Therefore, local adaptations may cause diVerent populations of herbivores to diVer in their ability to tolerate PSMs. Here, we tested the food intake responses of three populations of a marsupial folivore, the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr), from diVer- ent latitudes and habitat types, to four types of PSMs. We found clear variation in the responses of northern and southern Australian possums to PSMs. Brushtail possums from southern Australia showed marked decreases in food intake in response to all four PSMs, while the two popula- tions from northern Australia were not as sensitive and their responses did not diVer from one another. These results were unexpected, based on our understanding of the experi- ences of these populations with PSMs in the wild. Our results suggest that geographically separated populations of possums may have evolved diVering abilities to cope with PSMs, as a result of local adaptation to their natural envi- ronments. Our results provide the basis for future studies to investigate the mechanisms by which populations of mam- malian species diVer in their ability to tolerate PSMs.

History

Publication title

Oecologia

Volume

161

Pagination

539-548

ISSN

0029-8549

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Place of publication

175 Fifth Ave, New York, USA, Ny, 10010

Rights statement

Copyright © Springer-Verlag 2009

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

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