Costs and benefits of defense by tannins in a neotropical tree |
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Authors: | Phyllis D Coley |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary The costs and benefits of defense by tannins were investigated for a neotropical tree, Cecropia peltata L. (Moraceae). Seedlings of equal age were grown under uniform conditions in a greenhouse for 18 months. Within a plant, leaf tannin concentrations measured in different years were highly correlated. Tannin concentrations differed substantially among individuals; plants with high tannin content had lower damage levels in herbivory experiments. The effects of tannin on herbivory appeared to be dosage dependent. There was, however, a cost associated with tannin production in terms of reduced leaf production. |
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Keywords: | Defense Herbivory Tannins Cecropia Neotropical trees |
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