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Published on: July 29, 2019
Toxin tolerance across landscapes: Ecological exposure not a prerequisite
M Denise Dearing1, Teri J Orr1,2, Dylan M Klure1
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
Mammalian herbivores show tolerance to toxic plant compounds, even outside their typical habitat. This adaptation to specialized metabolites suggests broader ecological resilience in woodrat populations.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Zoology
Background:
- Mammalian herbivores face challenges from plant specialized metabolites.
- Understanding landscape-level tolerance to toxins is crucial for herbivore ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate woodrat (Neotoma lepida and Neotoma bryanti) tolerance to creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) toxins.
- To determine if tolerance varies with proximity to creosote bush habitat and across populations.
Main Methods:
- Woodrats were sampled across a 900 km transect in the US Southwest.
- Plant metabarcoding of feces identified creosote bush consumption.
- Feeding trials quantified tolerance to creosote resin, with genetic analyses of population structure.
Main Results:
- Tolerance to creosote resin differed significantly between Neotoma lepida and Neotoma bryanti.
- Woodrats from habitats without creosote bush showed reduced tolerance, even when collected >25 km away.
- Minimal genetic differentiation was observed among woodrat populations.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian herbivores possess adaptations to plant specialized metabolites that can extend beyond direct ecological exposure.
- Tolerance to plant toxins is not solely dependent on continuous habitat presence.
- Further research should explore genetic mechanisms of toxin tolerance in herbivores across landscapes.
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