| Title: | Triggering chemical defense in an oribatid mite using artificial stimuli |
| Address: | "Institute of Zoology, Karl-Franzens University, Universitatsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria. michael@heethoff.de" |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10493-012-9521-5 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1572-9702 (Electronic) 0168-8162 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Most oribatid mites are well known for their exocrine oil gland secretions, from which more than a hundred different chemical components (hydrocarbons, terpenes, aromatics and alkaloids) have been described. The biological functions of these secretions have remained enigmatic for most species, but alarm-pheromonal and allomonal functions have been hypothesized, and demonstrated in some cases. Here, we tested different experimental stimuli to induce the release of defensive secretions in the model oribatid mite Archegozetes longisetosus Aoki. Whereas various mechanical stimuli did not result in a reproducible and complete expulsion of oil gland secretions, repeated treatments with hexane led to complete discharge. Life history parameters such as survival, development and reproduction were not influenced by the hexane treatment. Repeated hexane treatments also resulted in a complete depletion of oil glands in Euphthiracarus cribrarius Berlese" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Behavior, Animal/physiology Bodily Secretions/drug effects/physiology Exocrine Glands/drug effects/metabolism Hexanes/pharmacology Mites/drug effects/*physiology;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineHeethoff, Michael Raspotnig, Gunther eng P 21819/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2012/01/31 Exp Appl Acarol. 2012 Apr; 56(4):287-95. doi: 10.1007/s10493-012-9521-5" |
