Feeding Preferences of Tegula Funebralis and Chemical Defenses of Marine Brown Algae

摘要: I examined the effects of phenolic compounds in marine brown algae on feeding behavior intertidal gastropod Tegula funebralis and other herbivores. The algal nitrogen content thallus toughness were also investigated. T. showed consistent preferences laboratory field pairwise tests 13 species (Phaeophyta) from central California. Relative levels compounds, which are known to deter by herbivorous snails, differed greatly between preferred nonpreferred algae. total six most averaged 0.83% dry mass; seven least 4.53%. Differences relative tanning ability similarly large. Tannic acid, a terrestrial plant tanin, when experimentally added one kelp species, deterred funebralis. These results analyses studies additional differences order Laminariales (typically low) those Fucales (uniformly high). Feeding gastropod, echinoid, crustacean algivores northeast Pacific Ocean strikingly similar funebralis; this supports contention that high generally effective deterrent against many kinds invertebrate Organic was positively correlated with However, likely an indirect effect significant negative correlation contents. Thallus did not seem important determining overall Tegula, but may have affected choices low phenolics. suggest for primarily due avoidance defenses; positive aspects food quality (such as attractants or nutritional content) probably play lesser role preference.