ALLELOCHEMISTRY

THESE RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVE COACTIONS  WHEREBY CHEMICALS SECRETED BY ONE ORGANISM AFFECT THE GROWTH, HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF OTHER ORGANISMS. ALLELOPATHY IS PRODUCED IN  PLANTS  WHEN TOXINS ARE LIBERATED THAT INHIBIT SEEDLING GROWTH IN THE VICINITY. THIS MAY AFFECT SUCCESSION IN PLANT SPECIES  ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE EARLY STAGES.ANTIBIOTICS PRODUCED BY BACTERIA, FUNGI AND LICHENS  ARE WIDESPREAD IN NATURE. ALLECHEMIC EFFECTS ARE  OF GREAT VARIETY IN BOTH PLANTS AND ANIMALS: REPELLANTS, ESCAPE SUBSTANCES, SUPPRESSANTS, VENOMS, INDUCTANTS, ATTRACTANTS, SIGNALS, STIMULANTS, AUTOTOXINS, ANTOINHIBITORS, ETC. PHEROMONES, CHEMICAL MESSAGES BETWEEN  MEMBERS OF A SPECIES ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR, SOCIAL  REGULATION AND RECOGNITION, ALARM AND DEFENCE, TERRITORY AND TRAIL MARKING, FOOD  LOCATION AND SO ON.