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Ecological and evolutionary bioprospecting: using aposematic insects as guides to rainforest plants active against disease
Author(s) -
Helson Julie E,
Capson Todd L,
Johns Timothy,
Aiello Annette,
Windsor Donald M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/070189
Subject(s) - aposematism , biology , lepidoptera genitalia , herbivore , bioprospecting , ecology , rainforest , botany , predation , predator
We examined Coleoptera and Lepidoptera assemblages feeding on two different groups of plants: one in which plants were active against cancer cell lines and/or protozoan parasites responsible for tropical parasitic diseases, and a second group that was inactive in the same bioassays. Aposematic species were found on nine of the ten active plant species, but on only four of the ten inactive plant species. Non‐aposematic insects did not show a significant difference in their association with active versus inactive plants. Our results suggest that the presence of aposematic, herbivorous insects can be used to facilitate the identification of plants with compounds active against important human diseases.