Herbivore Video Highlights (VIDEO)
Caption
To grow in a tropical rain forest is to engage in constant warfare. Plants and herbivores are in a constant arms race to outsmart each other. Plants develop traits to deter hungry mandibles, and herbivores adapt to deal with the leaf's defenses. In the Panama rain forest, species of the tropical tree genus, Inga, have a quiver of anti-herbivore traits, including tiny hairs, nectar cups that attract pugnacious ant protectors, and most notably, leaves filled with poisonous compounds. Each Inga species can make hundreds or sometimes thousands of different toxins.
Credit
Dale Forrister and Thomas Kursar, Coley/Kursar Lab, University of Utah
Usage Restrictions
Non commercial with attribution.
License
Licensed content