ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Labrador tea
;
Ledum groenlandicum
;
snowshoe hare
;
Lepus americanus
;
herbivore
;
plant chemical defense
;
germacrone
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), a slow-growing late successional evergreen, is highly unpalatable to snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Germacrone, a sesquiterpene that is the major component of the essential oil ofL. groenlandicum, was shown by bioassay to be a potent antifeedant to hares. Its concentrations in leaves and intemodes of the plant are high enough to defendL. groenlandicum from hares. This chemical defense of Labrador tea from herbivory is consistent with the resource availability theory of antiherbivore defense.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01020508
