The distribution and abundance of an unusual resource for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a sodium-poor environment

PloS One
Sarah MartinKaren J Marsh

Abstract

Environmentally available sodium tends to decrease with increasing elevation, and sodium resources in these sodium-poor environments are critical for the survival of herbivores. Eucalypt leaves in the subalpine Monaro region of NSW, Australia contain much less sodium than eucalypt leaves at lower elevations, and subalpine koalas obtain this much needed resource by eating the bark from some Eucalyptus mannifera trees. To better understand the availability of salty-barked trees, we searched for evidence of koala bark chewing at 100 randomly generated locations in the region. We found 318 E. mannifera trees with koala chew marks. We also analysed sodium concentrations in the bark of three unchewed E. mannifera trees from each site to determine whether there were trees with high bark sodium content that had not yet been utilized by koalas. Although 90% of unchewed trees had sodium concentrations less than 225.4 mg.kg-1 DM, some unchewed trees contained high sodium concentrations (up to 1213.1 mg.kg-1 DM). From the random survey, we can extrapolate that 11% of trees in this area have bark sodium above 300 mg.kg-1 DM, which is based on the concentration of bark sodium observed in at least moderately chewed trees. We would expect to f...Continue Reading

References

Feb 1, 1967·The Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science·J R Blair-WestR D Wright
May 1, 1971·Canadian Journal of Zoology·D Hebert, I M Cowan
Feb 14, 2002·Plant, Cell & Environment·R. Munns
Dec 14, 2004·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Ben D MooreWilliam J Foley
Dec 14, 2004·Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety·Asish Kumar Parida, Anath Bandhu Das
Oct 17, 2006·International Journal of Group Psychotherapy·Virginia Brabender
Dec 7, 2006·Biology Letters·Jessica M RothmanAlice N Pell
May 1, 2008·Annual Review of Plant Biology·Rana Munns, Mark Tester
Nov 14, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Michael KaspariRobert Dudley
Jun 18, 2010·Journal of Chemical Ecology·David J TuckerWilliam J Foley
Feb 4, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Sam C BanksMichaela D J Blyton
Sep 29, 2017·Phytochemistry·Karen J MarshWilliam J Foley
Jan 27, 2019·Phytochemistry·Karen J MarshWilliam J Foley

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

R Statistical Environment
R
gamlss
lme4
R package boot
Excel

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.