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CreatorTitleDescriptionSubjectDate
1 Coley, Phyllis D.; Lokvam, John; Kursar, Thomas A.Allelochemic function for a primary metabolite: the case of L-tyrosine hyper-production in Inga umbellifera (Fabaceae)Young leaves of tropical forest trees experience far higher herbivory pressure than mature leaves of the same species. Selection on young leaves has led to diverse forms of defense chemical expression. Though most allelochemicals are secondary metabolites, allelochemic function for a primary metabol...5-amino-4-hydroxy-pentanoic acid; Panama; Barro Colorado Island; Fabaceae; Inga umbellifera; Primary metabolite; Heliothis virescens2006
2 Coley, Phyllis D.Benefits and costs of defense in a neotropical shrubBenefits and costs are central to optimality theories of plant defense. Benefit is the gain in fitness to reducing herbivory and cost is the loss in fitness to committing resources to defense. We evaluate the benefits and costs of defense in a neotropical shrub, Psychotria horizontalis. Plants were ...Cost of defense; Growth-defense trade-off; Exclosures; Field experiment; Herbivory; Panama; Psychotria horizontalis; Rubiaceae; Tannins; Toughness; Tropics1995
3 Coley, Phyllis D.Between-species differences in leaf defenses of tropical treesRates of herbivory and patterns of leaf defense are presented for light-demanding and shade-tolerant tree species growing in a lowland rainforest in Panama. More than 85 percent of the annual leaf damage is due to grazing by insects. There are over three orders of magnitude difference between specie...Herbivory; Interspecific variation; Panama; Growth rate; Shade tolerance; Treefall gaps; Tropical forest; Understory; Tannins; Alkaloids1987
4 Coley, Phyllis D.; Kursar, Thomas A.Colonization of tropical rain forest leaves by epiphylls: effects of site and host plant leaf lifetimeIn humid tropical regions, leaves are frequently colonized by epiphylls (Richards 1954, Pocs 1978, 1982). Lichens and liverworts usually dominate, although mosses, algae, and cyanobacteria can also occur (Winkler 1971, Smith 1982). The interactions between epiphylls and host leaves have not been wel...Tropical forest; Epiphylls; Panama; Hybanthus prunifolius; Light interception1993
5 Coley, Phyllis D.; Kursar, Thomas A.Food quality, competition, and parasitism influence feeding preference in a neotropical lepidopteranWe surveyed Lepidoptera found on 11 species of Inga (Fabaceae:Mimosoideae) co-existing on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, to evaluate factors influencing diet choice. Of the 47 species of caterpillars (747 individuals) recorded, each fed on a distinct set of Inga. In the field, 96% of the individuals...Competition; Electivity; Gelechiid; Herbivore growth; Fabaceae; Inga; Leaf expansion; Leafing phenology; Lipidoptera; Panama; Parasitism; Plant quality2006
6 Coley, Phyllis D.Herbivory and defensive characteristics of tree species in a lowland tropical forestRate of herbivory and defensive characteristics of young and mature leaves were measured for saplings of 46 canopy tree species in a lowland tropical rain forest (Barro Colorado Island, Panama). Grazing rates were determined in the field for sample periods in the early wet, late wet, and dry seasons...Fiber; Herbivory; Life history; Panama; Phenolics; Plant growth; Spatial distribution; Tannins; Temporal distribution; Treefall gaps; Tropical forest1983
7 Coley, Phyllis D.Intraspecific variation in herbivory on two tropical tree speciesLevels of herbivory on young and mature leaves were determined for two tree species, Trichilia cipo (Meliaceae) and Cecropia insignis (Moraceae), in a lowland rain forest of Panama. Saplings of both species were studied in light gaps, and in addition, Trichilia was studied in the understory.Cecropia insignis; Trichilia cipo; Herbivory; Intraspecific variation; Panama; Temporal distribution; Treefall gaps; Tropical forest; Understory1983
8 Coley, Phyllis D.On turning green into goldAnthropogenic effects on the climate and biodiversity of our planet are among the most troubling and perhaps irreversible threats facing scientists, policymakers, and citizens. Yet many scientists are reluctant or unsure of how to apply their expertise in basic science to these pressing real-world p...Bioprospecting; Drug discovery; Active compounds; Panama2008
9 Coley, Phyllis D.; Kursar, Thomas A.Pests vs. drought as determinants of plant distribution along a tropical rainfall gradientUnderstanding the mechanisms that shape the distribution of organisms can help explain patterns of local and regional biodiversity and predict the susceptibility of communities to environmental change. In the species-rich tropics, a gradient in rainfall between wet evergreen and dry seasonal forests...Drought tolerance; Herbivory; Panama; Pathogen attack; Rainfall gradient; Tree distribution; Tropical forests2009
10 Coley, Phyllis D.Red coloration of tropical young leaves: a possible antifungal defense?Many woody species in humid tropical forests synchronously flush entire canopies of young red leaves. Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to explain the adaptive value of this visually striking phenomenon. In the humid tropics, fungal attack is a potentially important source of mortality f...Herbivory; Anthocyanin; Antifungal defense; Atta columbica; Panama; Leaf-cutting ants; Tropics; Young leaves1989
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