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J Chem Ecol

Title:		Defensive secretion components of the host Parastizopus armaticeps as kairomones for the cleptoparasite Eremostibes opacus
Author(s):		Geiselhardt S; Szepat T; Rasa OA; Peschke K;
Address:		"Institut fur Biologie I, Universitat Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany. sven.geiselhardt@biologie.uni-freiburg.de"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060427
Issue:		4
Page Number:		767 - 778
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-006-9028-9
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The subsocial tenebrionid Parastizopus armaticeps Per. is parasitized by the closely related Eremostibes opacus Koch (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). We found that the pygidial defensive secretions of both species are similar and contain a mixture of 1,4-benzoquinones, 1-alkenes, and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The 1-alkenes are dominated by 1-undecene, with admixtures of 1-tridecene in both species and 1-pentadecene in P. armaticeps only. Methyl- and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone are the major quinones of the secretions of both species. The monoterpene fractions consist of (-)-alpha-pinene, (-)-camphene, sabinene, (-)-beta-pinene, and (-)-limonene. Volatiles trapped with Porapak Q at the entrance to the breeding burrows of P. armaticeps were identified as components of the defensive secretion. However, in contrast to the secretion, the 1,4-benzoquinones were almost completely absent in the volatiles. Bioassays investigating attraction showed that the cleptoparasite E. opacus was drawn to the monoterpene hydrocarbons, produced by P. armaticeps, and deterred by the 1,4-benzoquinones. The 1-alkenes had no effect. Among the monoterpenes, only (-)-camphene was attractive to E. opacus. This is one of the rare cases of chemical exploitation of defensive allomones, and the first based on odor homology. We have drawn an evolutionary scenario including various functional changes in the defensive secretion compounds, leading to the kairomonal exploitation"
Keywords:		Animal Communication Animals Coleoptera/*parasitology/*physiology Host-Parasite Interactions Hydrocarbons/analysis Pheromones/chemistry/*metabolism Scent Glands/metabolism Volatilization;
Notes:		"MedlineGeiselhardt, S Szepat, T Rasa, O A E Peschke, K eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2006/05/24 J Chem Ecol. 2006 Apr; 32(4):767-78. doi: 10.1007/s10886-006-9028-9. Epub 2006 Apr 27"