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Science 17 February 1978:
Vol. 199. no. 4330, pp. 806 - 807
DOI: 10.1126/science.199.4330.806
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Articles

Serengeti Ungulates: Feeding Selectivity Influences the Effectiveness of Plant Defense Guilds

S. J. MCNAUGHTON 1

1 Biological Research Laboratories, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, and Serengeti Research Institute, P.O. Seronera, via Arusha, Tanzania

Association of Themeda triandra, a palatable grass species, with less palatable plants protected it from grazing by two comparatively unselective herbivores, wildebeest and African buffalo. Grazing on T. triandra by two more selective herbivores, Thomson's gazelle and zebra, was not related to the relative abundance of less palatable plants. The differential effectiveness of plant defense guilds against different ungulates may contribute to the high species diversity of the East African grazer fauna.

Submitted on April 20, 1977
Revised on October 17, 1977


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Specialization: Species Property or Local Phenomenon?.
L. R. Fox and P. A. Morrow (1981)
Science 211, 887-893
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