Hands-On Chemical Ecology: Simple Field and Laboratory Exercises

Dietland Müller-Schwarze (auth.)1441903771, 978-1-4419-0377-8, 978-1-4419-0378-5

Hands-On Chemical Ecology: Simple Field and Laboratory Exercises, a premiere collection of practical exercises in chemical ecology, offers tools and strategies for understanding this young science. The exercises included use general principles and follow a simple structure. Topics examined include birds, fish, insects, mammals, and plant chemistry among others. Additionally, exercises require accessible materials, ensuring that each can be easily modified and completed anywhere in the world with locally existing instruments. This text will be of value to undergraduate and graduates students and high school biology teachers.

About the Author:

Professor Dietland Müller-Schwarze has published Chemical Ecology of Vertebrates (Cambridge University Press 2006), co-edited 10 volumes of “Chemical Signals in Vertebrates” (Plenum Press), and written nearly 200 research papers in the field of chemical ecology. For several years, he has taught “Introduction to Chemical Ecology,” an undergraduate course, and “Chemical Ecology of Vertebrates,” a graduate course, at the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Dr. Müller-Schwarze has also been a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Chemical Ecology for 27 years.

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages i-xiv
Front Matter….Pages 1-1
Mutualism: Effects of Ants on Aphids, Their Predators, and Host Plants….Pages 3-6
Predatory Fish Responses to Prey Odors (Chemical Lures)….Pages 7-11
Sour Grapes: Methyl Anthranilate as Feeding Repellent for Birds….Pages 13-17
Responses of Small Mammals to Predator Odors in the Field….Pages 19-24
Squirrels’ Avoidance of Predator Odors….Pages 25-29
Squirrels, Acorns, and Tannins….Pages 31-35
Field Grid for Testing Winter Feeding by Rabbits or Cottontails….Pages 37-42
Food Choices by Mammalian Herbivores and the Role of Defense Compounds: Example Beaver….Pages 43-50
Scent Marking in Free-Ranging Mammals. Examples: Beaver or Badger….Pages 51-57
Capsaicin as Feeding Repellent for Mammals….Pages 59-61
Search for “Chemical Ecology Stories” in the Forest or Other Ecosystem….Pages 63-65
Front Matter….Pages 68-68
Test for Cyanogenic Compounds in Plants….Pages 69-73
Herbivory and a Simple Field Test for Total Phenolics in Trees….Pages 75-80
Radial Diffusion Assay for Tannins….Pages 81-84
Chemically induced defenses in phytoplankton….Pages 85-90
Induced Defense: Herbivory on Juvenile vs. Adult Growth Stages of Trees….Pages 91-96
Jasmonic Acid Effect on Plant Volatiles (or How to Make a Fern Smell Like a Rose)….Pages 97-99
Effect of Tannins on Insect Feeding Behavior….Pages 101-104
Leaf Disk Test: Bioassay of Effect of Tannins on Insect Feeding Behavior….Pages 105-108
Two-Way Choice Test for Social Odors in Mice….Pages 109-113
Front Matter….Pages 68-68
Scent Marking in Mice: Open Field Test….Pages 115-119
Human Body Odor Discrimination: T-Shirt Experiment….Pages 121-124
Coping with Plant Volatiles in Spicy Food (“Burping Exercise”)….Pages 125-128
Front Matter….Pages 130-130
Miscellaneous Experiments Chosen by Students….Pages 131-131
Further Possible Experiments….Pages 133-147
Back Matter….Pages 149-156