Ref ID: 10639
Ref Type: Journal
Authors: O'Reilly-Wapstra, J. M., McArthur, C., and Potts, B. M.
Pub Date: 2004
Journal Name: Functional Ecology
Volume: 18
Issue:
Start Page: 677
End Page: 684
ISBN/ISSN:
Keywords: agent/Australia/blue gum/browsing/brushtail possum/characteristic/chemistry/control/coppice/defence/environment/Eucalyptus/Eucalyptus globulus/evolution/field/genetic/genetic control/genetic variation/genotype/globulus/herbivore/herbivory/importance/interaction/mammal/metabolite/paper/plant/research/resistance/secondary metabolite/species/system/Tasmania/trait/trial/Trichosurus vulpecula/variation
Abstract: 1. In the field of plant/herbivore interactions, a major focus of research is the importance of herbivores as selective agents on the evolution of plant resistance. Evidence to support the role of herbivores as selective agents must demonstrate that the intraspecific variation in plant resistance, and the variation in the plant resistive trait, are under genetic control. Predominantly, research in this field has concentrated on plant/insect systems with much less emphasis on plant/mammal interactions. 2. In a common Eucalyptus species, Eucalyptus globulus, variation in resistance to a mammalian herbivore, Trichosurus vulpecula, is under genetic control. 3. In this paper, plants of known genetic stock grown in a common environment field trial were used to investigate the plant characteristic responsible for resistance of E. globulus to T. vulpecula and to determine if there was a genetic basis to variation in the defensive trait. 4. The results demonstrate that a formylated phloroglucinol compound, sideroxylonal, is the dominant plant secondary metabolite that determined intake of E. globulus by T. vulpecula and that this metabolite is under significant genetic control. 5. These results are discussed in the context of the possible role that T. vulpecula plays as a selective agent on the evolution of resistance in E. globulus
Notes: Entered by Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra (15/11/2003)
Reprint: Not in File
Program: SPF Resource Protection
Project: C3
Deliverable: C3-1
Confidentiality: Public
Availability: Authors
Report: Annual Report 2004/5
Type: Article
Address: joreilly@utas.edu.au