Tree use by koalas in a chemically complex landscape

Ben D. Moore () and William J. Foley
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Ben D. Moore: Australian National University
William J. Foley: Australian National University

Nature, 2005, vol. 435, issue 7041, 488-490

Abstract: Eats oils and leaves The oils in the leaves of the eucalyptus tree are poisonous to many mammals, presumably as a defence against herbivores. Yet the koala feeds on eucalyptus and little else. The highly specialized nature of the koala's chosen niche — and its vulnerability to environmental change — are made clear by a 10-year study of koalas in the protected colony on Phillip Island. Tree size is the main influence on whether koalas visit a tree to eat the leaves, but the concentrations of specific secondary metabolites, the poisons, is also a factor. Koalas can eat leaves that their competitors steer clear of, but have a very limited choice of diet and will avoid trees that contain particularly nasty compounds.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03551

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