Secondary metabolites as traits of ripe fleshy fruits: a response to Eriksson and Ehrlen
Article Abstract:
Data presented by Ove Eriksson and Johan Ehrlen are inadequate to prove their conclusion that the presence of secondary metabolites in fleshy fruits might be determined mainly by phylogeny. Although toxicity is relevant to hypothesis in question, the authors classified fruits as 'toxic' and 'nontoxic.' Futhermore, data were based on pharmacological and chemotaxonomic studies. These studies are generally not reliable and frequently the source of chemical tests that cannot identify similar compounds. Clearly, sufficient data are needed to address this hypothesis.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1998
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Secondary metabolites in fleshy fruits: are adaptive explanations needed?
Article Abstract:
The presence of secondary metabolites in fleshy fruits does not imply an evolutionary process or cannot be explained by the fruit dispersal hypothesis. The trait is more of a concurrence of two other traits: 'fleshy fruits' and 'secondary metabolites in plant tissues.' Furthermore, it is more likely that the metabolites have evolved as a defense against herbivory and that both plants have no way of discarding them from the fruit pulp or they are not important in reduced dispersal efficiency.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1998
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Fungi as biotic defense agents of fleshy fruits: alternative hypotheses, predictions, and evidence
Article Abstract:
The effect of fruit-fungus interactions on seed dispersal was investigated. Fungus effects on fruits are known to range from neutral associations and commensalism to pathogenic disease, but fungi have rarely been considered as biotic defense agents of fleshy fruits. It was shown that fungi could have positive effects for seed dispersal by affecting plant-frugivore interactions.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1993
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