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Thorns as induced defenses: experimental evidence |
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| Authors: | A. V. Milewski Truman P. Young Derek Madden |
| Affiliation: | (1) School for Field Studies, 16 Broadway, 01915 Beverly, MA, USA;(2) Present address: Division of Mammals, Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, 60605 Chicago, IL, USA;(3) Present address: Department of Botany, University of California, 95616 Davis, CA, USA;(4) Present address: Department of Biology, Modesto Junior College, 95355 Modesto, CA, USA |
| Abstract: | Summary We report evidence from controlled experiments that long straight thorns deter herbivory by browsers. Cut branches of three woody species that had their thorns removed suffered significantly greater herbivory by a tethered goat than did paired intact branches. Branches on living Acacia seyal plants that had their thorns removed suffered significantly greater herbivory by a wild population of free-ranging giraffes than did intact branches on the same plants. These differences in herbivory resulted in long term losses of branch length in clipped as opposed to control branches. In addition, branches within reach of giraffes produced longer thorns and a greater density of thorns than did higher branches. These results imply that increased thorn length is an induced defense.No significance should be attached to order of authorship |
| Keywords: | Induced defense Spinescence Thorns Giraffe Herbivory |
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