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Microsc Res Tech

Title:		"The defensive secretion of Carabus lefebvrei Dejean 1826 pupa (Coleoptera, Carabidae): gland ultrastructure and chemical identification"
Author(s):		Giglio A; Brandmayr P; Dalpozzo R; Sindona G; Tagarelli A; Talarico F; Brandmayr TZ; Ferrero EA;
Address:		"Department of Ecology, University of Calabria, via P. Bucci cubo 4B, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Calabria, Italy. anita.giglio@unical.it"
Journal Title:		Microsc Res Tech
Year:		2009
Volume:		72
Issue:		5
Page Number:		351 - 361
DOI:		10.1002/jemt.20660
ISSN/ISBN:		1097-0029 (Electronic) 1059-910X (Linking)
Abstract:		"This study documents the defensive function of flavored humor secreted by the abdominal glands of Carabus lefebvrei pupae. The morphology and the ultrastructure of these glands were described and the volatile compounds of glands secretion were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The ultrastructure analysis shows an acinose complex formed by about 50 clusters. Each cluster has 20 glandular units and the unit-composed of one secretory and one canal cell lying along a duct-belongs to the class 3 cell type of Quennedey (1998). In the cytoplasm, the secretory cell contains abundant rough endoplasmatic reticula, glycogen granules, numerous mitochondria, and many well-developed Golgi complexes producing electron-dense secretory granules. Mitochondria are large, elongated, and often adjoining electronlucent vesicles. The kind and the origin of secretory granules varying in size and density were discussed. The chemical analysis of the gland secretion revealed the presence of a mixture of low molecular weight terpenes, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and carboxylic acids. Monoterpenes, especially linalool, were the major products. We supposed that ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and carboxylic acids have a deterrent function against the predators and monoterpenes provide a prophylaxis function against pathogens"
Keywords:		"Animals Coleoptera/*chemistry/growth & development/*ultrastructure Exocrine Glands/chemistry/metabolism/ultrastructure Female Male Microscopy, Electron Pupa/*chemistry/growth & development/*ultrastructure Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry;"
Notes:		"MedlineGiglio, Anita Brandmayr, Pietro Dalpozzo, Renato Sindona, Giovanni Tagarelli, Antonio Talarico, Federica Brandmayr, Tullia Zetto Ferrero, Enrico A eng 2008/12/11 Microsc Res Tech. 2009 May; 72(5):351-61. doi: 10.1002/jemt.20660"