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Why are spines of African Acacia species white?
Author
Midgley, JJ
Publisher
African Journal of Range & Forage Science
Publication Year
2004
Body

The straight white spines of African Acacia species are conspicuous, rather than being brown and cryptic as in other species. In comparison with species with brown spines, Acacia spines are composed of less dense material. I suggest that by the Acacia spines being readily apparent, browsers can avoid biting them. This avoidance facilitates the trade-off of decreased sturdiness for increased apparency.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Collection
Southern Africa Collection
Journal Name
African Journal of Range & Forage Science
Keywords
Africa