Silicon-based plant defences, tooth wear and voles

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Ivan CalandraGildas Merceron

Abstract

Plant-herbivore interactions are hypothesized to drive vole population cycles through the grazing-induced production of phytoliths in leaves. Phytoliths act as mechanical defences because they deter herbivory and lower growth rates in mammals. However, how phytoliths impair herbivore performance is still unknown. Here, we tested whether the amount of phytoliths changes tooth wear patterns. If confirmed, abrasion from phytoliths could play a role in population crashes. We applied dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) to laboratory and wild voles. Lab voles were fed two pelleted diets with differing amounts of silicon, which produced similar dental textures. This was most probably due to the loss of food mechanical properties through pelletization and/or the small difference in silicon concentration between diets. Wild voles were trapped in Poland during spring and summer, and every year across a population cycle. In spring, voles feed on silica-rich monocotyledons, while in the summer they also include silica-depleted dicotyledons. This was reflected in the results; the amount of silica therefore leaves a traceable record in the dental microwear texture of voles. Furthermore, voles from different phases of population cycles h...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 16, 2016·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Gildas MerceronDimitri Pret
Sep 24, 2016·Scientific Reports·Ivan CalandraSophie Montuire
Apr 4, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Samuel D ArmanGavin J Prideaux
Jan 11, 2020·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Mark F TeafordChristopher J Vinyard
Jul 31, 2019·Plants·Muhammad Amjad NawazKirill Sergeyevich Golokhvast
Nov 5, 2020·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Fernando Rodriguez-RojasBrian R Lawn
Aug 19, 2021·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Kristin L KruegerRalph DeLong

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