title: Costs and benefits of defense by tannins in a neotropical tree.
abstract: The costs and benefits of defense by tannins were investigated for a neotropical tree, Cecropia peltata L. (Moraceae). Seedlings of equal age were grown under uniform conditions in a greenhouse for 18 months. Within a plant, leaf tannin concentrations measured in different years were highly correlated. Tannin concentrations differed substantially among individuals; plants with high tannin content had lower damage levels in herbivory experiments. The effects of tannin on herbivory appeared to be dosage dependent. There was, however, a cost associated with tannin production in terms of reduced leaf production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Phyllis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Coley
keywords: Cecropia; Defense; Herbivory; Neotropical trees; Tannins