IB445 Chemical Ecology

 

39. Frugivore/Fruit Interactions

 

1. Definition--seed and fruit

2. Dispersal independent of animals--wind, water, autochory (van der Pijl, 1972)

3. Dispersal independent of ingestion--epizoochory

4. Animals as dispersal agents

   a. contrast with pollination (Wheelwright and Orians, 1982; Janzen, 1983)

   b. specialization vs generalization (Rick and Bowman 1961; McKey, 1975)

5. Changes associated with ripening

   a. organic acids

   b. chloroplast/chromoplast conversion (chlorophyll/carotenoid)

   c. pectic materials

   d. carbohydrates

   e. proteins

   f. flavonoids and polyphenols

   g. volatile and aroma constituents

   h. toxins and flavor components

6. Dispersal syndromes (van der Pijl, 1972)

   a. ornithochory

   b. mammalichory

   c. myrmecochory

7. Conservation concerns

 

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revised November 2004


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