Herbivory & Non Chemical Plant Defence Flashcards
Provide a working definition of herbivory.
Herbivory: consumption of living plant tissue by animals.
What does a folivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Foliage; koala.
What does a xylophage eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Wood (xylem); termite.
What does a rhizophage eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Roots; witchetty grub.
What does a mucivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Phloem sap; aphid.
What does a nectarivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Flower nectar; flying fox.
What does a palynivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Pollen; bee.
What does a frugivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Fruit; cassowary.
What does a granivore eat? Provide an example of an animal which falls under this category of herbivore.
Seeds; ant.
Herbivores can be broadly categorized into two groups known as ______________ and _______________.
Generalists; specialists.
Give an example of a generalist herbivore.
Brush tail possum.
Give an example of a specialist herbivore.
Koala, ringtail possum.
Give an example of a extreme herbivory (an outbreak).
Forest tent caterpillars can feed en masse (mild grazing can become severe predation).
List some consequences of herbivory.
- reduced photosynthetic capacity
- reduced biomass + carbs
- loss of nutrients
- diminished reproductive output
- enhanced pathogen accessibility
- reduced biotic & abiotic stress tolerance
- death
List two strategic disadvantages of plants.
- leaves must be displayed to capture light
- plants cannot move to escape from herbivores