THE INDOLE ALKALOID, HYPAPHORINE AND PTEROCARPUS SEED PROTECTION

Abstract

L-Hypaphorine has been isolated as a major constituent of the seeds of Pterocarpus officinalis, seeds which are rejected as a food source by a wide variety of seed-eating rodents dwelling in the same habitat. Incorporation of the isolated hypaphorine into artificial diets of a small seed predator, Liomys salvini (a rodent) supports its role as a feeding deterrent.