Title: | How do predators cope with chemically defended foods? |
Address: | "Department of Biological Sciences, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, New York 10027, USA. jglendinning@barnard.edu" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0006-3185 (Print) 0006-3185 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Many prey species (including plants) deter predators with defensive chemicals. These defensive chemicals act by rendering the prey's tissues noxious, toxic, or both. Here, I explore how predators cope with the presence of these chemicals in their diet. First, I describe the chemosensory mechanisms by which predators (including herbivores) detect defensive chemicals. Second, I review the mechanisms by which predators either avoid or tolerate defensive chemicals in prey. Third, I examine how effectively free-ranging predators can overcome the chemical defenses of prey. The available evidence indicates that predators have mixed success overcoming these defenses. This conclusion is based on reports of free-ranging predators rejecting unpalatable but harmless prey, or voluntarily ingesting toxic prey" |
Keywords: | "Adaptation, Physiological Animals Chemoreceptor Cells/metabolism Insecta Pheromones/metabolism *Predatory Behavior Species Specificity Toxins, Biological/*toxicity;" |
Notes: | "MedlineGlendinning, John I eng Review 2007/12/18 Biol Bull. 2007 Dec; 213(3):252-66. doi: 10.2307/25066643" |