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Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on Plant Chemistry: Nutritional Consequences for a Specialist and Generalist Lagomorph

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Abstract

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation has been increasing in temperate latitudes in recent decades and is expected to continue rising for some time. Enhanced UV-B radiation can change plant chemistry, yet the effects of these changes on mammalian herbivores are unknown. To examine the influence of enhanced UV-B radiation on nutrition of a specialist and generalist hindgut fermenter, we measured nutritional and chemical constituents of three common North American range plants, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregneria spicata), and how these changes influenced in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vivo digestibility by pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) and eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus). Forages were irradiated for 3 mo with ambient (1×) or supplemental (1.6×) UV-B radiation representing a 15% ozone depletion for Pullman, WA, USA. Enhanced UV-B radiation had minimal effects on the nutritional content and the tannin-binding capacity of forages. Similarly, the terpene concentration in sagebrush and yarrow was not affected by higher UV-B irradiances. Flavonoid compounds increased in sagebrush but decreased in yarrow. Rabbit preference and intake was not affected by treatment levels for any forage species and no differences were found between treatments for dry matter, fiber, protein digestibility, and apparent digestible energy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Gary Radamaker for assistance with field work and maintenance of greenhouse plants. This project was funded with support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Ultraviolet-B Monitoring and Research Program at Colorado State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164-6410, USA

    Nicole J. Thines, Lisa A. Shipley & John H. Bassman

  2. Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164-6414, USA

    John K. Fellman & D. Scott Mattison

  3. USDA UV-B Monitoring and Research Program, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523-1499, USA

    James R. Slusser & Wei Gao

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  1. Nicole J. Thines
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  2. Lisa A. Shipley
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Correspondence to Nicole J. Thines.

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Thines, N.J., Shipley, L.A., Bassman, J.H. et al. Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on Plant Chemistry: Nutritional Consequences for a Specialist and Generalist Lagomorph. J Chem Ecol 33, 1025–1039 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-007-9280-7

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