Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency.

Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. Research Abstract Details 

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Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. Abstract Text:

Natasha L Wiggins,Clare McArthur,Noel W Davies,Stuart McLean,

Generalist mammalian browsers and folivores feed on a range of chemically different plant species, which may assist them in diluting toxins and diversifying nutrient consumption. The frequency and order in which their diets are mixed are important determinants of intake. As a result, the degree of plant heterogeneity in an environment, and the spatial scale at which this occurs, should directly influence herbivore foraging decisions. We tested whether altering the Spatial scale of plants, and thus plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), affected foraging efficiency of a generalist folivore, the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). First, we demonstrated that possums were able to consume more from a mixed diet of two chemically different species, Eucalyptus globulus and E. tenuiramis, than when either of these species was offered alone. We then tested whether altering the spatial scale between E. globulus and E. tenuiramis, as small- or large-scale plant heterogeneity "patches," affected possum foraging behavior and, ultimately, their foraging efficiency. Possums increased their foraging efficiency when the spatial scale of plant heterogeneity was small rather than large. We argue that the ability to regularly switch diets, when plant spatial distribution is at a small scale, reduces the negative effects of PSM ingestion. We predict that the heterogeneity of plant patches, in relation to PSM distribution, and the scale at which this occurs across a landscape, are critical factors that influence foraging efficiency and, ultimately, fitness of mammalian herbivores. This research provides a fundamental link between plant chemistry, foraging, and habitat heterogeneity.

Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. Publishing Authors By Initials

NL Wiggins,C McArthur,NW Davies,S McLean,

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Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov

Journal: Ecology

VOLUME: 87

Page Numbers: 2236-43

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ISSN: 0012-9658

DAY: 25

MONTH: Sep

YEAR: 2006

Spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

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AFFILIATION: School of Zoology, CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001. wiggins@utas.edu.au

Country: United States

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MEDLINETA: Ecology

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