Predator-prey networks, defensive alkaloids

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Michael Heethoff; Privatdozent Dr. Mark-Oliver Rödel
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 444827997

Within the research unit "Reassembly of species interaction networks", the subprojet "Predator-prey networks, defensive alkaloids" focuses on the role of alkaloids in shaping trophic networks between frogs and their prey. Alkaloids play an important role as defensive chemicals in plants and various arthropod groups, i.e., ants and oribatid mites. However, poison dart frogs sequester alkaloids from their prey to their own skin. Their life-history depends on being unpalatable to most predators, and thus on being prey specialists. In contrast, most other frogs are prey generalists. We will assess the availability of alkaloid-containing arthropods and the prey spectrum of poisons and non-poisons anurans along a forest recovery chronosequence. We expect that accuracy and speed of reassembly (recovery) of anuran-prey networks is directly linked to the dependency on and availability of alkaloid containing prey species. In addition, we will compare alkaloid profiles of arthropod prey species with those from the frogs’ skins, and thus track the individual routes of alkaloid trophic transfers for the respective frog species.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5207: Reassembly of species interaction networks – Resistance, resilience and functional recovery of a rainforest ecosystem
• International Connection: Ecuador, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Professor David Donoso, Ph.D.; Professor Ralph A. Saporito, Ph.D.