Capsaicinoids are metabolites responsible for the appealing pungency of Capsicum (chili
pepper) species. The completion of the Capsicum annuum genome has sparked new …

Seed dispersal by animals is a complex phenomenon, characterized by multiple
mechanisms and variable outcomes. Most researchers approach this complexity by …

There is growing realization that intraspecific variation in seed dispersal can have important
ecological and evolutionary consequences. However, we do not have a good understanding …

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is the world's most popular spice and is also used as an
ingredient in traditional medicine. Its pungent perception is due to the interaction of its major …

Plants produce an enormous diversity of secondary metabolites, but the evolutionary
mechanisms that maintain this diversity are still unclear. The interaction diversity hypothesis …

On-going fragmentation of tropical forest ecosystems and associated depletion of seed
dispersers threatens the long-term survival of animal-dispersed plants. These threats do not …

The paradoxical presence of toxic chemical compounds in ripe fruits represents a balance
between plant enemies and allies: chemical traits can defend seeds against antagonistic …

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) play a central role in seed dispersal and fruit defense,
with potential for large impacts on plant fitness and demography. Yet because PSMs can …

Frugivore foraging behavior is largely influenced by two key groups of chemical traits:
nutrients and secondary metabolites. Many secondary metabolites function in plant defense …

New World bats play a significant role in ecosystem functioning and are imperative for
maintaining environmental services. Nevertheless, human-caused environmental changes …