Selective eating of the acyanogenic form of trifolium repens

Abstract

The cyanogenesis polymorphism is widespread in populations of Yrifolium repens L. It is known that cyanogenic plants are selected against by low temperatures and soil water stress. This paper reports on choice chamber experiments which show that the counterbalancing selection against acyanogenic plants is due to selective eating by at least two herbivores (Anon ater L. and Agniolimax reticulatus Muller). The results also show how variations in experimental technique may affect the Outcome. A. ater became more selective with increased time in the experimental regime and also showed a decrease in selectivity when its food sources were changed while A. reticulatus was selective on only two of the three pairs of plants offered. A third species, Anion subfuscus Draparnaud, was found not to be selective. © 1973, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.