A field test of the directed deterrence hypothesis in two species of wild chili.

Abstract in brief

• The study tests the directed deterrence hypothesis, which suggests that certain chemicals in ripe fruits (like capsaicinoids in chilies) help attract seed-dispersing animals like birds while deterring seed-destroying rodents.
• Researchers observed that fruits of two chili species were mainly eaten by birds during the day, and rodents did not remove the fruits, supporting the idea that the chili's chemicals deter rodents but not birds.
• The findings imply that chili plants might produce fruits with specific traits (such as high lipid content and pungency) to selectively attract beneficial seed dispersers and prevent seed predators, aiding in better seed dispersal.]