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PMID: 24242340 Published · ppublish English Journal Article

Higher plant terpenoids: A phytocentric overview of their ecological roles.

Journal of chemical ecology ·Vol. 20 ·No. 6 ·1994-06-00 ·Pages 1223-80

Langenheim JH

Abstract

Characteristics of higher plant terpenoids that result in mediation of numerous kinds of ecological interactions are discussed as a framework for this Symposium on Chemical Ecology of Terpenoids. However, the role of terpenoid mixtures, either constitutive or induced, their intraspecific qualitative and quantitative compositional variation, and their dosage-dependent effects are emphasized in subsequent discussions. It is suggested that little previous attention to these characteristics may have contributed to terpenoids having been misrepresented in some chemical defense theories. Selected phytocentric examples of terpenoid interactions are presented: (1) defense against generalist and specialist insect and mammalian herbivores, (2) defense against insect-vectored fungi and potentially pathogenic endophytic fungi, (3) attraction of entomophages and pollinators, (4) allelopathic effects that inhibit seed germination and soil bacteria, and (5) interaction with reactive troposphere gases. The results are integrated by discussing how these terpenoids may be contributing factors in determining some properties of terrestrial plant communities and ecosystems. A terrestrial phytocentric approach is necessitated due to the magnitude and scope of terpenoid interactions. This presentation has a more broadly based ecological perspective than the several excellent recent reviews of the ecological chemistry of terpenoids.

Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Langenheim J H
Department of Biology, Sinsheimer Laboratoires, University of California, 95064, Santa Cruz, California.
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Article Info
Journal
Journal of chemical ecology
Abbr.
J Chem Ecol
ISSN
0098-0331
DOI
10.1007/BF02059809
Published
1994-06-00
Pages
1223-80
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
7505563
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF02059809 View journal details
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