Mention the different defense mechanisms to reduce the impact of predation?
Plant species evolved various defense mechanisms to reduce impact of predation:- i) Certain insect species & frogs have camouflage or cryptic coloration to avoid detection by their predators. ii) Some animals like monarch butterflies are highly distasteful to their predators because they accumulate a certain chemical by feeding on poisonous weeds during its caterpillar stage. iii) Some prey are poisonous & hence are avoided by predators. iv.) Plants have evolved certain morphological, or chemical defense mechanisms against herbivores e.g. thorns in bougainvillea. v) plants also produce certain chemicals which function as:- a. They make animals feel sick. b. They may inhibit them from feeding. c. They may interfere with digestion. d. They may directly kill them.
