I was also wondering about any possible links between VOCs and vibration as a communications mechanisms. Now that we know there are subtle chemical compounds being secreted every where, might it also be possible the ground dwelling plants secrete changes to forewarn beneficial grazers, as to the presence of a predator for example, or might this be solely based on the resonance of a lions paw on the earth, or the quick lifting of scent by the wind?? Perhaps as the grazer is typically head down in the fauna, are they also able to detect signals from plants, themselves connected by fungus that has already determined the state of the approaching biology, whose own continued survival depends on a ratio of herbivores whom go on in some kind of early warning system that might allow grazers crucial milliseconds to respond?? Is this a reason so many carnivore attacks are so unsuccessful? Is it a combination of factors that mean its never chance this live and die thing?
We know today that fish, and or perhaps a seal, can detect the presence of a bow wave from the shark about to take a bite and that this energy allows critical thinking time for the prey On land we know vibration plays a pivotal role in animal comms, but what else are we missing from a whole.
I am convinced just as plants secrete alkaloid defense for example in the case of aphid attack, and that this response is across the whole, so not just one plant will raise it defense, but all plants of the same type once they learn one of their own is under attack, that they also bring in the beneficials through the very same signaling pathways, and that this might extend to a form of protection, much like ants and aphids :) Are fungus insuring the continued survival of themselves through herbivores by forewarming them about the lion in the long grass?
So much going on, so little time to know for certain. man i need to also stop smoking LOL
