Hare don't care! Consumption of a rare, desert milkweed containing phytochemicals by the black-tailed jackrabbit. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grodsky, Steven M.; Saul-Gershenz, Leslie S.; Moore-O'Leary, Kara A.; Whitney, Jason P.; Hernandez, Rebecca R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of arid environments. Volume 174(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Asclepias -- Cardenolides -- Danaus -- Herbivory -- Lepus californicus -- Mojave desert -- Phytochemicals; Arid regions ecology -- Periodicals; Arid regions -- Periodicals; Écologie des régions arides -- Périodiques; Régions arides -- Périodiques; 577.54
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.103991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1963

Abstract

Abstract: We recorded video providing the first conclusive evidence that the black-tailed jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus ) consumes Mojave milkweed ( Asclepias nyctaginifolia ) containing phytochemicals in the Ivanpah Valley, Mojave Desert, California, USA. We discuss possible chemical and biological interactions between the black-tailed jackrabbit and Mojave milkweed. We explore potential ecological effects of black-tailed jackrabbit herbivory on Mojave milkweed, including competition with the monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ) and its close relative the queen butterfly ( Danaus gilippus ), and how these ecological interactions may be affected by anthropogenic land-use and land-cover change in arid environments of the western United States.