HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Google Scholar Articles by Glendinning, J. I. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Glendinning, J. I. Related Collections Neuroscience - Learning and Memory Behavior Miscellaneous Vertebrates Neuroscience Physiology

How Do Predators Cope With Chemically Defended Foods?

Department of Biological Sciences, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, New York 10027

^* E-mail: jglendinning{at}barnard.edu

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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. K. Zimmer and C. D. Derby Biological Bulletin Virtual Symposium: The Neuroecology of Chemical Defense Biol. Bull., December 1, 2007; 213(3): 205 - 207. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Derby Escape by Inking and Secreting: Marine Molluscs Avoid Predators Through a Rich Array of Chemicals and Mechanisms Biol. Bull., December 1, 2007; 213(3): 274 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]