Effects of Secondary Metabolites on Digestion in Marine Herbivores

Targett NM, Arnold TM (2001) Effects of secondary metabolites on digestion in marine herbivores. 

Effects of Secondary Metabolites on Digestion in Marine Herbivores... 

The effect of plant secondary metabolites on herbivore digestion and nutrition is dependent not only on the characteristics of the metabolites, but also on subtle interactions between the metabolite ), the gut environment, and plant nutritive qualities. In the marine environment, such interactions are complex. This is due in part to (1) the diversity of marine plants (including vascular and nonvascular species), (2) the diverse array of secondary metabolites that may be encountered by vertebrate and invertebrate grazers, and (3) the diversity of herbivore gut environments. 

To date, most studies describing the effect of plant secondary metabolites on herbivore digestion in marine systems have focused upon the macromolecular-complexing activity of algal phlorotan-nins. While these compounds have demonstrated negative effects on marine herbivore food preference and digestion efficiency in some circumstances, it is clear that they can no longer be... 

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