Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Problems Encountered in Feeding Microencapsulated Oils to a Folivorous Marsupial, the Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In our study of interactions between marsupial folivores and Eucalyptus, we have examined the role of terpenes, including the use of bioassay experiments where terpenes are added to an artificial diet. In pursuit of greater ecological realism in these experiments, we have sought means of packaging terpenes more realistically, by using microencapsulation to simulate oil glands of leaves. We report here on a preliminary experiment with microencapsulated olive oil (intended for use as an experimental control) in which the food intake of the animals was substantially reduced, to the point that starvation appeared imminent and we aborted the experiment. We discuss why this occurred and recommend caution to others intending to use microencapsulated terpenes (or other oils) in herbivore diets.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

REFERENCES

  • Cheeke, P. R., and Patton, N. M. 1980. Carbohydrate overload of the hindgut—a probable cause of enteritis. J. Appl. Rabbit Res. 3:20–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clancy, K. M., Foust, R. D., Huntsberger, T. G., Whitaker, J. G., and Whitaker, D. M. 1992. Technique for using microencapsulated terpenes in lepidopteran artificial diets. J. Chem. Ecol. 18:543–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cork, S. J., and Foley, W. J. 1991. Digestive and metabolic strategies of arboreal mammalian folivores in relation to chemical defenses in temperate and tropical forests, pp. 133–166, in R. T. Palo and C. T. Robbins (eds.). Plant defenses Against Mammalian Herbivory. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, A. J., Hartley, S. E., and Iason, G. R. 1994. The effect of monoterpene concentrations in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) on the browsing behaviour of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Can. J. Zool. 72:1715–1720.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, P. B., Wanjura, W. J. and Brown, W. V. 1993. Selective herbivory by Christmas beetles in response to intraspecific variation in eucalyptus terpenoids. Oecologia 95:551–557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, W. J., Lassak, E. V., and Brophy, J. 1987. Digestion and absorption of Eucalyptus essential oils in greater glider (Petauroides volans) and brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). J. Chem. Ecol. 13:2115–2130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hume, I. D., and Esson, C. 1993. Nutrients, antinutrients and leaf selection by captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Aust. J. Zool. 41:379–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, I. R., and Foley, W. J. 1999. Chemical ecology of herbivory in Eucalyptus: Interactions between insect and mammalian herbivores and plant essential oils. In J. Coppen (ed.). Medicinal and Aromatic Plants—Industrial Profiles: Eucalyptus. Harwood Academic Press, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, I. R., Foley, W. J., Eschler, B., Pass, D. M., and Handasyde, K. 1998a. Intraspecific variation in Eucalyptus secondary metabolites determines food intake by folivorous marsupials. Oecologia 116:160–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, I. R., Stapley, J., Foley, W. J., and Eschler, B. M. 1999. An ecological example of a conditioned flavor aversion in plant-herbivore interactions: The effects of terpenes of Eucalyptus leaves on feeding by common ringtail and brushtail possums. J. Chem. Ecol. 25:401–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLean, S., and Foley, W. J. 1997. Metabolism of Eucalyptus terpenes by herbivorous marsupials. Drug Metab. Rev. 29:213–218.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLean, S., Foley, W. J., Davies, N. W., Brandon, S., and Peacock, E. J. 1995. A novel metabolite of citronellal formed in arboreal marsupials fed Eucalyptus citriodora. Meeting of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Sciences Association (APSA), Auckland, December 1994. N. Z. Pharm. Suppl. 15(3): 8 abstract.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichardt, P. B., Bryant, J. P., Mattes, B. R., Clausen, T. P., Chapin, F. S. I., and Meyer, M. 1990. Winter chemical defense of Alaskan balsam poplar against snowshoe hares. J. Chem. Ecol. 16:1941–1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southgate, P. C., and Lou, D. C. 1995. Improving the n-3 HUFA composition of Artemia using microcapsules containing marine oils. Aquaculture 134:91–99.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, 0200, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

    Ivan R. Lawler & William J. Foley

Authors
  1. Ivan R. Lawler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. William J. Foley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lawler, I.R., Foley, W.J. Problems Encountered in Feeding Microencapsulated Oils to a Folivorous Marsupial, the Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). J Chem Ecol 25, 1195–1201 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020850313374

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020850313374

Search

Navigation