| Summary: | Lichen-lichenivore interactions are mediated by the presence of metabolites in lichens, which may impact lichenivore food preferences. In the environmental context of the Subantarctic, with a low animal and “plant” biodiversity, the surprising lichen flora contributed to the success of a the only endemic subantarctic land Gastropod, Notodiscus hookeri. To better understand the snail-lichen interactions, we analyzed the food preferences of this lichenivore snail and tried to pinpoint key lichen traits modulating the trophic interaction. From observations and samplings realized on Possession Island (Crozet Archipelago, Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises), two decisive stages of the interaction were studied: (i) the snail feeding behavior in situation of nutritional choice, (ii) its gustatory response when facing isolated metabolites in no-choice situations. Preferential grazing of some lichen parts was linked to both secondary and primary metabolites concentrations. Intrathalline localization of metabolites was performed in three lichen species consumed by the snail and widespread on Possession Island (Argopsis friesiana, Pseudocyphellaria crocata and Usnea taylorii), using chromatographic and spectrometric techniques (LC-DAD-MS, GC-MS, microdissection coupled to LC-DAD-MS, DART-MS) and imaging mass spectrometry ((MA)LDI-MS). N. hookeri appears to be a generalist and opportunistic gastropod, feeding on most lichen species encountered. However, it is able to discriminate between lichen parts, preferentially grazing on parts with the highest nutrient value, in spite of the presence of potential deterrent secondary metabolites. We described several mechanisms helping snails to overcome the toxicity of some lichen metabolites. Snail feeding choices result in trade-off between benefits of absorbing appetent metabolites of high nutritive value and the cost of physiological processes (detoxification, cleavage and excretion) caused by the ingestion of deterrent metabolites. To conclude, three main key parameters ...
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