Targett 9314351 Polyphenolic compounds are known to act both feeding deterrents and digestibility reducing substances in terrestrial and marine systems. In vitro examinations of the mode of action of these compound have revealed that their activity is dependent on the chemical environment (including pH, redox potential, the presence of surfactants, and the presence of polyphenol ocidases) in which they are acting, as well as the structure and concentration of the compounds. Little work has been done examining the mode of action of polyphenolics in vivo, particularly in the marine environment. To understand the basis of the patterns responsible for the activity of marine polyphenolics, this study proposes to examine temperate and tropical marine systems in which selected combinations of plant characteristics and herbivore gut characteristics are simultaneously evaluated. ***
