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- Title
Leaf dicers of Nelliyampathy: Observations of preconsumptive latex avoidance by a sciurid.
- Authors
Mohan, Kamaraj; Das, Sayantan; Singh, Mewa
- Abstract
This article explores the leaf-processing behavior of the Indian giant squirrel, Ratufa indica maxima, when feeding on Artocarpus leaves. The study reveals that the squirrel exhibits consistent preconsumptive food processing by selecting mature leaves, folding them, and removing the midrib before consuming the leaf blades. The consumption of young and mature leaves varies throughout the year, with mature leaves being consumed more during the post-monsoon phase. The authors suggest that this leaf-processing behavior may be a response to the high concentration of chemical defenses in the midrib and the avoidance of latex. They also discuss the potential influence of historical co-distribution and ecological pressures on dietary expansion and manipulation complexity.
- Subjects
LATEX; BOTANY; FOOD portions; KRA; JACKFRUIT; TANNINS
- Publication
Ecology, 2024, Vol 105, Issue 5, p1
- ISSN
0012-9658
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/ecy.4294