Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) Consume Plants Containing Toxic Secondary Compounds

Authors

  • Jeffery R. Werner Centre for Biodiversity Research, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v126i1.1298

Keywords:

Vancouver Island Marmot, Marmota vancouverensis, plant alkaloids, foraging behaviour, diet, plant defensive compounds, Veratrum viride, False Hellebore, marmot foraging

Abstract

I report 68 sightings of Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) feeding on Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride), a plentiful but highly poisonous plant. Possible explanations for this novel foraging behaviour are presented.

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Published

2012-10-02

Issue

Vol. 126 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Notes

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