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Exp Appl Acarol

Title:		Communication via sex pheromones within and among Arrenurus spp. mites (Acari: Hydrachnida; Arrenuridae)
Author(s):		Smith BP; Florentino J;
Address:		"Biology Department, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850-7278, USA. smithb@ithaca.edu"
Journal Title:		Exp Appl Acarol
Year:		2004
Volume:		34
Issue:		1-Feb
Page Number:		113 - 125
DOI:		10.1023/b:appa.0000044443.14174.0b
ISSN/ISBN:		0168-8162 (Print) 0168-8162 (Linking)
Abstract:		"We present direct experimental evidence of pheromone use in six species of Arrenurus and indirect evidence for four species, including members of the subgenera Megaluracarus, Truncaturus, and Arrenurus. Water in which females were housed elicited arrestant behaviour in males, males oriented to the source, and at least some individuals in each species assumed the male readiness posture, a precursor to coupling. Most species responded to water treated with conspecific females, but there was also interspecific sex pheromone responsiveness. Arrenurus manubriator and A. megalurus demonstrated reciprocal pheromone cross-attractancy. Males of A. major, A. marshallae, and A. birgei responded to water from females of related species from within their subgenera. Arrenurus apetiolatus males failed to respond to conspecific female-treated water, but the same water elicited arrestant behaviour and orientation in A. manubriator. Heterospecific reactions to female-conditioned water were limited to cases involving members of the same species group and were not seen between species representing different species groups or different subgenera. The species for which cross-attractancy has been demonstrated commonly co-occur in nature, so apparently these pheromones are of limited value for species recognition. Shared reaction to sex pheromones provides additional evidence for inferring close phylogenetic relationship among species, and thus far, corresponds with morphological evidence based on adult males and larvae"
Keywords:		"Animals Female Fresh Water Male Mites/*physiology Ontario Sex Attractants/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineSmith, Bruce P Florentino, Joy eng Netherlands 2004/12/16 Exp Appl Acarol. 2004; 34(1-2):113-25. doi: 10.1023/b:appa.0000044443.14174.0b"