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Sci Rep

Title:		"Diacetin, a reliable cue and private communication channel in a specialized pollination system"
Author(s):		Schaffler I; Steiner KE; Haid M; van Berkel SS; Gerlach G; Johnson SD; Wessjohann L; Dotterl S;
Address:		"1] Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria [2] Department of Plant Systematics, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth. School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany. Botanical Garden Munchen-Nymphenburg, Menzinger Str. 65, 80638 Munchen, Germany"
Journal Title:		Sci Rep
Year:		2015
Volume:		20150806
Issue:
Page Number:		12779 -
DOI:		10.1038/srep12779
ISSN/ISBN:		2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The interaction between floral oil secreting plants and oil-collecting bees is one of the most specialized of all pollination mutualisms. Yet, the specific stimuli used by the bees to locate their host flowers have remained elusive. This study identifies diacetin, a volatile acetylated glycerol, as a floral signal compound shared by unrelated oil plants from around the globe. Electrophysiological measurements of antennae and behavioural assays identified diacetin as the key volatile used by oil-collecting bees to locate their host flowers. Furthermore, electrophysiological measurements indicate that only oil-collecting bees are capable of detecting diacetin. The structural and obvious biosynthetic similarity between diacetin and associated floral oils make it a reliable cue for oil-collecting bees. It is easily perceived by oil bees, but can't be detected by other potential pollinators. Therefore, diacetin represents the first demonstrated private communication channel in a pollination system"
Keywords:		"Animals Bees/*physiology Flowers/chemistry/*metabolism Oils, Volatile/analysis/*metabolism Pollination/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineSchaffler, Irmgard Steiner, Kim E Haid, Mark van Berkel, Sander S Gerlach, Gunter Johnson, Steven D Wessjohann, Ludger Dotterl, Stefan eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2015/08/08 Sci Rep. 2015 Aug 6; 5:12779. doi: 10.1038/srep12779"