Organism
Apiaceae Plants
TL;DR
Produce toxic compounds called furanocoumarins that deter most herbivores.
Produce toxic compounds called furanocoumarins that deter most herbivores. Central to Ehrlich and Raven's study of co-evolution: the plants' toxins selected for detoxification mechanisms in Papilionidae butterflies, which then selected for higher toxin concentrations in the plants, creating ongoing reciprocal adaptation.
Notable Traits of Apiaceae Plants
- Produce furanocoumarins
- Defense against herbivores
- Co-evolved with swallowtail butterflies