Problems encountered in feeding microencapsulated oils to a Folivorous marsupial, the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Ivan R. Lawler*, William J. Foley

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In our study of interactions between marsupial folivores and Eucalyptus, we have examined the role of terpenes, including the use of bioassay experiments where terpenes are added to an artificial diet. In pursuit of greater ecological realism in these experiments, we have sought means of packaging terpenes more realistically, by using microencapsulation to simulate oil glands of leaves. We report here on a preliminary experiment with microencapsulated olive oil (intended for use as an experimental control) in which the food intake of the animals was substantially reduced, to the point that starvation appeared imminent and we aborted the experiment. We discuss why this occurred and recommend caution to others intending to use microencapsulated terpenes (or other oils) in herbivore diets.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1195-1201
    Number of pages7
    JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology
    Volume25
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1999

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