Advertising acceptability: is mollusk olfaction important in seedling selection? |
| |
Authors: | Mick E Hanley Sarah A Collins Chloe Swann |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Although seedling herbivory is an important selective filter in many plant communities, how and why seedlings are selected
is poorly understood. Here, we examined the putative role of herbivore olfaction in dictating seedling selection. Using a
Y-tube olfactometer we compared snail (Helix aspersa) preference for pellets derived from 14-day-old macerated seedlings of nine European grassland (‘Test’) species against standard
(‘Control’) pellets derived from lettuce. Snail movement towards ‘Test’ pellets was strongly correlated with seedling acceptability
(Pearson’s r
2 = 0.86, P > 0.01) and where snails exhibited a positive choice for the ‘Test’ species, the choice was made more quickly for highly
acceptable species (r
2 = 0.86, P > 0.01). In elucidating a link between seedling acceptability and olfactory response to macerated seedlings, our study suggests
that even from an early ontogenetic stage plant selection by snails may be governed by olfactory cues. This finding highlights
the need for research on the role of plant volatiles in plant–herbivore interactions to consider more fully interactions operating
at the seedling stage. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|