Abstract
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) staminate flower buds and catkins are important food resources for ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus); however, ruffed grouse select only certain quaking aspen to feed upon. Earlier studies indicate that the primary difference between quaking aspen that ruffed grouse feed upon and those not used is the level of coniferyl benzoate in the flower buds. Bioassays show that coniferyl benzoate is a feeding deterrent for ruffed grouse; its effect on ruffed grouse after ingestion has not been tested. Possible physiological effects, based on the chemical properties of coniferyl benzoate and its oxidation products, include inhibition of protein digestion, toxic effects, and antiestrogenic effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andreev, A.V. 1988. Ecological energetics of Palaearctic Tetraonidae in relation to chemical composition and digestibility of their winter diets.Can. J. Zool. 66:1382–1388.
Allen, C.F.H., andByers, J.R., Jr. 1949. A synthesis of coniferyl alcohol and coniferyl benzoate.J. Am. Chem. Soc. 71:2683–2684.
Arnold, G.W., andHill, J.L. 1972. Chemical factors affecting food plants by ruminants, pp. 71–101,in J.B. Harborne (ed.). Phytochemical Ecology: Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society symposium. Academic Press, New York.
Berger, P.J., Sanders, E.H., Gardner, P.D., andNegus, N.C. 1977. Phenolic plant compounds functioning as reproductive inhibitors inMicrotus montanus.Science 195:575–577.
DeMan, E., andPeeke, H.V.S. 1982. Dietary ferulic acid, biochanin A, and inhibition of reproductive behavior in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix).Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 17:405–411.
Doerr, P.D., Keith, L.B., Rusch, D.H., andFischer, C.A. 1974. Characteristics of winter feeding aggregations of ruffed grouse in Alberta.J. Wildl. Manage. 38:601–615.
Freudenberg, K., andBittern, F. 1950. Coniferyl alcohol from Siam benzoin gum.Chem. Ber. 83:600–604. Taken from:Chem. Abstr. 45:3359; 1951.
Gullion, G.W. 1964. A discussion of ruffed grouse management problems in northern Minnesota. University of Minnesota Forest Wildlife Project Summary, (unpublished).
Gullion, G.W. 1966. A viewpoint concerning the significance of studies of game bird food habits.Condor 68:372–376.
Gullion, G.W. 1969. Aspen-ruffed grouse relationships. Paper presented at the 31st Midwest Wildlife Conference. St. Paul, Minnesota, December 8, 1969.
Gullion, G,W. 1977. Forest manipulation for ruffed grouse.Trans. North Am. Wildl. Nat. Resour. Conf. 42:449–458.
Hammerschmidt, R., andKuc, J. 1982. Lignification as a mechanism for induced systemic resistance in cucumber.Physiol. Plant Pathol. 20:61–71.
Hassner, A., andAlexanian, V. 1978. Direct room esterification of carboxylic acids.Tetrahedron Lett. 46:4475–4478.
Hjorth, N. 1961. Eczematous allergy to balsams, allied perfumes and flavoring agents.Acta Dermato-Venereol. Suppl. 46:1–216.
Huempfner, R.A. 1981. Winter arboreal feeding behavior of ruffed grouse in east-central Minnesota. MS thesis. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Huff, D.E. 1970. A study of selected nutrients in browse available to the ruffed grouse, MS thesis. University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
Jakubas, W.J. 1989. Ruffed grouse feeding behavior and ecology: Its relationship to the secondary metabolites of quaking aspen flower buds, PhD thesis. University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
Jakubas, W.J., Gullion, G.W., andClausen, T.P. 1989. Ruffed grouse feeding behavior and its relationship to the secondary metabolites of quaking aspen flower buds.J. Chem. Ecol. 15:1899–1917.
Kare, M.R., andMason, J.R. 1986. The chemical senses in birds, pp. 59–67, 71–73,in P.D. Sturkie (ed.). Avian Physiology, 4th ed. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Keen, N.T., andLittlefield, L.J. 1979. The possible association of phytoalexins with resistance gene expression in flax toMelampsora lini.Physiol. Plant Pathol. 14:265–280.
Kuc, J. 1983. Induced systemic resistance in plants to diseases caused by fungi and bacteria, pp. 191–221,in J.A. Bailey and B.J. Deverall (eds.). The Dynamics of Host Defence. Academic Press, Sidney, Australia.
Lindeberg, O. 1980. Synthesis of coniferyl and dihydroconiferyl derivatives using radical bromination withN-bromosuccinimide as the key step.Acta Chem. Scand. B. 34:15–20.
Oates, J.F., Waterman, P.G., andChoo, G.M. 1980. Comparison of rumen microbial inhibition resulting from various essential oils isolated from relatively unpalatable plant species.Oecologia (Berlin) 45:45–56.
Schemnitz, S.D. 1970. Fall and winter feeding activities and behavior of ruffed grouse in Maine.Proc. Northeastern Sec. Wildl. Soc. Annu. Conf. 27:127–140.
Silver, W.L. 1987. The common chemical sense, pp. 65–87,in T.E. Finger and W.L. Silver (eds.). Neurobiology of Taste and Smell. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Still, W.C., Kahn, M., andMitra, A. 1978. Rapid Chromatographic technique for preparative separations with moderate resolution.J. Org. Chem. 43:2923–2925.
Stoll, R.J., Jr.,McClain, M.W.,Nixon, C.M., andWorley, D.M. 1980. Foods of ruffed grouse in Ohio.Ohio Fish Wildl. Rep. 7.
Svoboda, F.J., andGullion, G.W. 1972. Preferential use of aspen by ruffed grouse in northern Minnesota.J. Wildl. Manage. 36:1166–1180.
Vanderschaegen, P.V. 1970. Food habits of ruffed grouse at the Cloquet Forest Research Center, Minnesota. MS thesis. University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 17,079.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jakubas, W.J., Gullion, G.W. Coniferyl benzoate in quaking aspen A ruffed grouse feeding deterrent. J Chem Ecol 16, 1077–1087 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01021012
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01021012