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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Evelyn JensenORCiD
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Many animal species tolerate different amounts of predation risk based on environmental conditions and the individual's own condition, often accepting greater risk when energetically stressed.We studied the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica to see whether it too accepts greater risk of predation when less light energy is available. This plant displays a defensive behavior of rapidly folding its leaves when stimulated by touch, thereby decreasing visibility to herbivores. Averting herbivory involves a trade-off because leaf closure results in a reduction in light foraging. We manipulated the light environment of individual M. pudica plants and recorded the time it took a plant to reopen its leaves following stimulation as a measure of tolerance of predation risk. As predicted by theory, avoidance behavior was sustained longer under high light conditions than under more light-limited conditions. These findings suggest this species balances the risk and reward of antiherbivore behavior in relation to current environmental conditions and that behavioral-ecological theory is a useful framework for understanding plant responses to predators. © 2011 by The University of Chicago.
Author(s): Jensen EL, Dill LM, Cahill Jr JF
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: American Naturalist
Year: 2011
Volume: 177
Issue: 3
Pages: 377-381
Print publication date: 01/03/2011
Online publication date: 28/01/2011
ISSN (print): 0003-0147
ISSN (electronic): 1537-5323
URL: https://doi.org/10.1086/658343
DOI: 10.1086/658343
PubMed id: 21460546
