title: How do predators cope with chemically defended foods?
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, New York 10027, USA. jglendinning@barnard.edu
authors: John I
authors: JI
authors: Glendinning
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D007313:Insecta; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D013045:Species Specificity; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D014118:Toxins, Biological