Secondary metabolites of fleshy vertebrate-dispersed fruits: Adaptive hypotheses and implications for seed dispersal

被引:282
作者
Cipollini, ML [1 ]
Levey, DJ [1 ]
机构
[1] UNIV FLORIDA, DEPT ZOOL, GAINESVILLE, FL 32611 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1086/286069
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 ; 0713 ;
摘要
We discuss seven hypotheses to explain the adaptive significance of secondary metabolites in ripe fleshy fruits and their implications for seed dispersal. These hypotheses are the attraction/association, seed germination inhibition, artraction/repulsion, protein assimilation, gut retention time, directed toxicity, and defense trade-off hypotheses. We examine evidence that supports or refutes these hypotheses and suggest further tests of each. In addition, we summarize recent work with Solanum fruit pulp glycoalkaloids that bears directly on three of these hypotheses (directed toxicity, gut retention time, and defense trade-off). We conclude that evidence addressing many of these hypotheses is either observational or indirect, but most hypotheses find at least some level of support. Because many of the hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, we also conclude that synergistic interactions and multifunctionality in secondary metabolites may provide economical evolutionary solutions for plants facing disparate and temporally variable selective pressures that impinge on fruits and seeds.
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页码:346 / 372
页数:27
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