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Taniguchi R, Grimaldi DA, Watanabe H, Iba Y. Sensory evidence for complex communication and advanced sociality in early ants. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadp3623. [PMID: 38875342 PMCID: PMC11177930 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp3623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Advanced social behavior, or eusociality, has been evolutionarily profound, allowing colonies of ants, termites, social wasps, and bees to dominate competitively over solitary species throughout the Cenozoic. Advanced sociality requires not just nestmate cooperation and specialization but refined coordination and communication. Here, we provide independent evidence that 100-million-year-old Cretaceous ants in amber were social, based on chemosensory adaptations. Previous studies inferred fossil ant sociality from individual ants preserved adjacent to others. We analyzed several fossil ants for their antennal sensilla, using original rotation imaging of amber microinclusions, and found an array of antennal sensilla, specifically for alarm pheromone detection and nestmate recognition, sharing distinctive features with extant ants. Although Cretaceous ants were stem groups, the fossilized sensilla confirm hypotheses of their complex sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Taniguchi
- Department of Natural History Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - David A Grimaldi
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024-5192, USA
| | - Hidehiro Watanabe
- Department of Earth System Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka 814-0180 Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Iba
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
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Szydłowska NZ, Franta P, Let M, Mikšovská V, Buřič M, Drozd B. Risk Perception: Chemical Stimuli in Predator Detection and Feeding Behaviour of the Invasive Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:406. [PMID: 38927286 PMCID: PMC11200450 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The round goby Neogobius melanostomus is a notoriously invasive fish originating from the Ponto-Caspian region that in recent decades has successfully spread across the globe. One of its primary impacts is direct predation; in addition, when entering new ecosystems, the round goby is likely to become a food resource for many higher native predators. However, little is known either about the indirect effects of predators on the round goby as prey or its feeding behaviour and activity. The non-consumptive effect of the presence of higher native predators presumably plays an important role in mitigating the impact of non-native round gobies as mesopredators on benthic invertebrate communities, especially when both higher- and mesopredators occupy the same habitat. We tested the food consumption probability and gut evacuation rates in round gobies in response to chemical signals from a higher predator, the European eel Anguilla anguilla. Gobies were placed individually in experimental arenas equipped with shelters and exposed to water from a tank in which (a) the higher predator had actively preyed on a heterospecific prey, earthworms Lumbricus sp. (the heterospecific treatment; HS); (b) the higher predator had fed on round gobies (the conspecific treatment; CS); or (c) the water was provided as a control treatment (C). To ensure exposure to the chemical stimuli, this study incorporated the application of skin extracts containing damaged-released alarm cues from the CS treatment; distilled water was used for the remaining treatments. No significant differences were observed in either the food consumption probability or gut evacuation rate in the tested treatments. Despite the lack of reaction to the chemical stimuli, round gobies did exhibit high evacuation rates (R = 0.2323 ± 0.011 h-1; mean ± SE) in which complete gut clearance occurred within 16 h regardless of the applied treatment. This rapid food processing suggests high efficiency and great pressure on resources regardless of the presence or not of a higher predator. These findings hint at the boldness of round gobies, which did not exhibit any pronounced threat sensitivity. This would seem to suggest great efficiency in food processing and a potential competitive advantage over local native species when colonising new ecosystems, irrespective of the presence of native predators. Our study did not detect any non-consumptive effect attributable to the higher predator, given that the feeding activity of the invasive round goby was not altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Z. Szydłowska
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic; (P.F.); (M.L.); (V.M.); (M.B.); (B.D.)
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Li Y, Yan Z, Lin A, Yang X, Li X, Yin X, Li W, Li K. Epidermal oxysterols function as alarm substances in zebrafish. iScience 2024; 27:109660. [PMID: 38650983 PMCID: PMC11033690 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alarm substances signal imminent predation thread and enable anti-predation strategies. In shoaling fish, alarm cues diffuse from injured skins that induce intense fear and anti-predation behaviors in other members. While these "fear substances" are shown to be present in numerous fishes and thought to exist in roughly 8,000 Ostariophysan species, their chemical nature remains largely unknown. We posited that fish alarm cues comprise small compounds and induce specific behaviors characteristic of fish exposed to skin extracts. Using the behaviors as bioassays, we tracked the alarm function of zebrafish skin extract to two compounds, 24-methyl-5α-cholestane-3α,7α,12α,24,28-pentahydroxy 28-sulfate, an oxysterol sulfate, and 5α-cyprinol sulfate. At concentrations of less than one nanomolar, each compound induced anti-predator behaviors and increased cortisol levels in zebrafish. Their mixture, at the natural ratio, replicated the skin extract in eliciting the full suite of anti-predator behavior patterns. Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism whereby fish escape predation danger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxi Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi Yan
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Ainuo Lin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiuli Yin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Weiming Li
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ke Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
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Sillam-Dussès D, Jandák V, Stiblik P, Delattre O, Chouvenc T, Balvín O, Cvačka J, Soulet D, Synek J, Brothánek M, Jiříček O, Engel MS, Bourguignon T, Šobotník J. Alarm communication predates eusociality in termites. Commun Biol 2023; 6:83. [PMID: 36681783 PMCID: PMC9867704 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04438-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited to the source of disturbance. Here, we study the vibroacoustic and chemical alarm communication in the wood roach Cryptocercus and in 20 termite species including seven of the nine termite families, all life-types, and all feeding and nesting habits. Our multidisciplinary approach shows that vibratory alarm signals represent an ethological synapomorphy of termites and Cryptocercus. In contrast, chemical alarms have evolved independently in several cockroach groups and at least twice in termites. Vibroacoustic alarm signaling patterns are the most complex in Neoisoptera, in which they are often combined with chemical signals. The alarm characters correlate to phylogenetic position, food type and hardness, foraging area size, and nesting habits. Overall, species of Neoisoptera have developed the most sophisticated communication system amongst termites, potentially contributing to their ecological success.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sillam-Dussès
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology UR4443, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Vojtěch Jandák
- Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, 166 27, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Stiblik
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Olivier Delattre
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology UR4443, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Thomas Chouvenc
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33314, USA
| | - Ondřej Balvín
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Cvačka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Delphine Soulet
- University Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology UR4443, 93430, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Jiří Synek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Brothánek
- Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, 166 27, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Jiříček
- Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, 166 27, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 1501 Crestline Drive-Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045, USA.
| | - Thomas Bourguignon
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jan Šobotník
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
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Latorre Estivalis JM, Traverso L, Pontes G, Lorenzo MG. The antennal transcriptome of Triatoma infestans reveals substantial expression changes triggered by a blood meal. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:861. [PMID: 36585617 PMCID: PMC9801554 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-09059-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatoma infestans is the main vector of Chagas disease in the Americas, currently transmitting it in Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Many T. infestans populations present insecticide resistance, reducing the efficiency of control campaigns. Alternative vector control methods are needed, and molecular targets mediating fundamental physiological processes can be a promising option to manipulate kissing bug behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the main sensory targets, as well as to determine whether they are modulated by physiological factors. In order to identify gene candidates potentially mediating host cue detection, the antennal transcripts of T. infestans fifth instar larvae were sequenced and assembled. Besides, we evaluated whether a blood meal had an effect on transcriptional profiles, as responsiveness to host-emitted sensory cues depends on bug starvation. RESULTS The sensory-related gene families of T. infestans were annotated (127 odorant receptors, 38 ionotropic receptors, 11 gustatory receptors, 41 odorant binding proteins, and 25 chemosensory proteins, among others) and compared to those of several other hemipterans, including four triatomine species. Several triatomine-specific lineages representing sensory adaptations developed through the evolution of these blood-feeding heteropterans were identified. As well, we report here various conserved sensory gene orthogroups shared by heteropterans. The absence of the thermosensor pyrexia, of pickpocket receptor subfamilies IV and VII, together with clearly expanded takeout repertoires, are revealed features of the molecular bases of heteropteran antennal physiology. Finally, out of 2,122 genes whose antennal expression was significantly altered by the ingestion of a blood meal, a set of 41 T. infestans sensory-related genes (9 up-regulated; 32 down-regulated) was detected. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the set of genes presenting nutritionally-triggered modulation on their expression represent candidates to mediate triatomine host-seeking behavior. Besides, the triatomine-specific gene lineages found represent molecular adaptations to their risky natural history that involves stealing blood from an enormously diverse set of vertebrates. Heteropteran gene orthogroups identified may represent unknown features of the sensory specificities of this largest group of hemipteroids. Our work is the first molecular characterization of the peripheral modulation of sensory processes in a non-dipteran vector of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Latorre Estivalis
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981Laboratorio de Insectos Sociales, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Universidad de Buenos Aires - CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucila Traverso
- grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Insectos (LNI), Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, CENEXA, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gina Pontes
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981Laboratorio de Eco-Fisiología de Insectos del Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA-UBA-CONICET), DBBE - Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Gustavo Lorenzo
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou - FIOCRUZ-Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Kannan K, Galizia CG, Nouvian M. Olfactory Strategies in the Defensive Behaviour of Insects. INSECTS 2022; 13:470. [PMID: 35621804 PMCID: PMC9145661 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Most animals must defend themselves in order to survive. Defensive behaviour includes detecting predators or intruders, avoiding them by staying low-key or escaping or deterring them away by means of aggressive behaviour, i.e., attacking them. Responses vary across insect species, ranging from individual responses to coordinated group attacks in group-living species. Among different modalities of sensory perception, insects predominantly use the sense of smell to detect predators, intruders, and other threats. Furthermore, social insects, such as honeybees and ants, communicate about danger by means of alarm pheromones. In this review, we focus on how olfaction is put to use by insects in defensive behaviour. We review the knowledge of how chemical signals such as the alarm pheromone are processed in the insect brain. We further discuss future studies for understanding defensive behaviour and the role of olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Kannan
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany;
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - C. Giovanni Galizia
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany;
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Morgane Nouvian
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany;
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Damon F, Mezrai N, Magnier L, Leleu A, Durand K, Schaal B. Olfaction in the Multisensory Processing of Faces: A Narrative Review of the Influence of Human Body Odors. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750944. [PMID: 34675855 PMCID: PMC8523678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent body of research has emerged regarding the interactions between olfaction and other sensory channels to process social information. The current review examines the influence of body odors on face perception, a core component of human social cognition. First, we review studies reporting how body odors interact with the perception of invariant facial information (i.e., identity, sex, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and dominance). Although we mainly focus on the influence of body odors based on axillary odor, we also review findings about specific steroids present in axillary sweat (i.e., androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone, and estratetraenol). We next survey the literature showing body odor influences on the perception of transient face properties, notably in discussing the role of body odors in facilitating or hindering the perception of emotional facial expression, in relation to competing frameworks of emotions. Finally, we discuss the developmental origins of these olfaction-to-vision influences, as an emerging literature indicates that odor cues strongly influence face perception in infants. Body odors with a high social relevance such as the odor emanating from the mother have a widespread influence on various aspects of face perception in infancy, including categorization of faces among other objects, face scanning behavior, or facial expression perception. We conclude by suggesting that the weight of olfaction might be especially strong in infancy, shaping social perception, especially in slow-maturing senses such as vision, and that this early tutoring function of olfaction spans all developmental stages to disambiguate a complex social environment by conveying key information for social interactions until adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Damon
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Inrae, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS (UMR 6265), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
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Song X, Qin YG, Yin Y, Li ZX. Identification and Behavioral Assays of Alarm Pheromone in the Vetch Aphid Megoura viciae. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:740-746. [PMID: 34347235 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aphids are destructive pests, and alarm pheromones play a key role in their chemical ecology. Here, we conducted a detailed analysis of terpenoids in the vetch aphid, Megoura viciae, and its host plant Pisum sativum using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Four major components, (-)-β-pinene (49.74%), (E)-β-farnesene (32.64%), (-)-α-pinene (9.42%) and ( +)-limonene (5.24%), along with trace amounts of ( +)-sabinene, camphene and α-terpineol) (3.14%) were found in the aphid. In contrast, few terpenoids were found in the host plant, consisting mainly of squalene (66.13%) and its analog 2,3-epoxysqualene (31.59%). Quantitative analysis of the four major terpenes in different developmental stages of the aphid showed that amounts of the monoterpenes increased with increasing stage, while the sesquiterpene amount peaked in the 3rd instar. (-)-β-Pinene was the most abundant terpene at all developmental stages. Behavioral assays using a three-compartment olfactometer revealed that the repellency of single compounds varied in a concentration-dependent manner, but two mixtures [(-)-α-pinene: (-)-β-pinene: (E)-β-farnesene: ( +)-limonene = 1:44.4:6.5:2.2 or 1:18.4:1.3:0.8], were repellent at all concentrations tested. Our results suggest that (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene are the major active components of the alarm pheromone of M. viciae, but that mixtures play a key role in the alarm response. Our study contributes to the understanding of the chemical ecology of aphids and may help design new control strategies against this aphid pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yao-Guo Qin
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zheng-Xi Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Laboratory for Monitoring and Environment-Friendly Control of Crop Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Drosophila melanogaster Stress Odorant (dSO) Displays the Characteristics of an Interspecific Alarm Cue. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:719-731. [PMID: 34402994 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Organisms depend on visual, auditory, and olfactory cues to signal the presence of danger that could impact survival and reproduction. Drosophila melanogaster emits an olfactory alarm signal, termed the Drosophila stress odorant (dSO), in response to mechanical agitation or electric shock. While it has been shown that conspecifics avoid areas previously occupied by stressed individuals, the contextual underpinnings of the emission of, and response to dSO, have received little attention. Using a binary choice assay, we determined that neither age and sex of emitters, nor the time of the day, affected the emission or avoidance of dSO. However, both sex and mating status affected the response to dSO. We also demonstrated that while D. melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. suzukii, have different dSO profiles, its avoidance was not species-specific. Thus, dSO should not be considered a pheromone but a general alarm signal for Drosophila. However, the response levels to both intra- and inter-specific cues differed between Drosophila species and possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
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Maa EH, Arnold J, Bush CK. Epilepsy and the smell of fear. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:108078. [PMID: 34111768 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In our canine scent detection research involving a specific volatile organic compound (VOC) associated with human epileptic seizure, we began to suspect involvement of the primitive neural networks associated with production of a previously undescribed human alarm pheromone as the origin of our seizure scent. We hypothesized that if we presented fear-scented sweat to our canine seizure scent detection team, and they identified the fear scent as their seizure scent, then that would suggest that they are identical compounds. METHODS Following consent and approval, sweat samples taken from volunteers associated with the Brooke Gordon Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Denver Health were processed by the Canine Assistants (CA) service dog team that had been imprinted to recognize the unique seizure scent from our previous study. In part one, sweat samples were collected from subjects, who had no prior history of epilepsy or seizures, under two different testing environments: watching a scary movie (It) and a neutral/comedy movie (Airplane!). In part two, a larger follow-up study utilizing fear sweat, exercise sweat, epilepsy sweat, and other distractor scents were provided in a multiple choice paradigm to better understand the inter-rater reliability of the canine responses. RESULTS In part one, our canine seizure scent detection team identified fear-scented sweat samples as their seizure scent in 4 of 5 study participants. There was almost perfect agreement of seizure scent detection during fear scent trials between the canine seizure scent detectors with a kappa value of 0.814 (95% CI: 0.668-0.960). In part two, (utilizing eleven different subjects) our canine scent detection team identified samples of either fear or seizure sweat with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 100% (no false positives) from among the multiple choices offered. Additionally, there was 92% agreement between the members of the canine scent detection team. SIGNIFICANCE While this hypothesis testing study is small and deserves replication, it confirms that the Canine Assistants seizure scent detection team consistently and accurately identified fear-scented sweat as their seizure scent, implying that the VOC, menthone, is common to both conditions. This further implies that human seizure propagation and fear network circuitry may share a common anatomy, and that menthone may not only be an early seizure biomarker, but a newly described human alarm pheromone.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Maa
- Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, 1635 Aurora Court, Aurora, CO 80045, United States.
| | - J Arnold
- Canine Assistants, 3160 Francis Road, Milton, GA 30004, United States
| | - C K Bush
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, 1635 Aurora Court, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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Evidence of anticipatory immune and hormonal responses to predation risk in an echinoderm. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10691. [PMID: 34021182 PMCID: PMC8139958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89805-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent efforts have been devoted to the link between responses to non-physical stressors and immune states in animals, mostly using human and other vertebrate models. Despite evolutionary relevance, comparatively limited work on the appraisal of predation risk and aspects of cognitive ecology and ecoimmunology has been carried out in non-chordate animals. The present study explored the capacity of holothuroid echinoderms to display an immune response to both reactive and anticipatory predatory stressors. Experimental trials and a mix of behavioural, cellular and hormonal markers were used, with a focus on coelomocytes (analogues of mammalian leukocytes), which are the main components of the echinoderm innate immunity. Findings suggest that holothuroids can not only appraise threatening cues (i.e. scent of a predator or alarm signals from injured conspecifics) but prepare themselves immunologically, presumably to cope more efficiently with potential future injuries. The responses share features with recently defined central emotional states and wane after prolonged stress in a manner akin to habituation, which are traits that have rarely been shown in non-vertebrates, and never in echinoderms. Because echinoderms sit alongside chordates in the deuterostome clade, such findings offer unique insights into the adaptive value and evolution of stress responses in animals.
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Yusuf AA, Frank ET, Fombong AT, Pirk CWW, Crewe RM, Schmitt T, Strube-Bloss M, Gordon I, Torto B. Odor-Mediated Group Organization and Coordination in the Termite-Raiding Ant Megaponera analis (Mayr). Chem Senses 2020; 45:635-644. [PMID: 32866968 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjaa058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual and olfactory communications are vital for coordinated group hunting in most animals. To hunt for prey, the group-raiding termite specialist ant Megaponera analis, which lacks good vision, must first confirm the presence or absence of conspecific raiders. Here, we show that M. analis uses olfactory cues for intraspecific communication and showed greater preference for conspecific odors over clean air (blank) or odors from its termite prey. Chemical analysis of ant volatiles identified predominantly short-chained hydrocarbons. Electrophysiological analysis revealed differential sensory detection of the odor compounds, which were confirmed in behavioral olfactometric choice assays with odor bouquets collected from major and minor castes and the 2 most dominant volatiles and n-undecane n-tridecane. A comparative analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon profile with those of the short-chained odor bouquet of different populations shows a high divergence in the long-chained profile and a much-conserved short-chained odor bouquet. This suggests that there is less selection pressure for divergence and individual recognition in the short- than the long-chained odor profiles. We conclude that olfactory communication serves as an alternative to visual or sound communication, especially during group raids in M. analis when ants are not in direct contact with one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi A Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Erik T Frank
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ayuka T Fombong
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robin M Crewe
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Strube-Bloss
- Department of Biological Cybernetics, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ian Gordon
- BirdLife International Kigali Office, Kigali Post Office, Nyarugenge, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
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13
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Depa Ł, Kaszyca‐Taszakowska N, Taszakowski A, Kanturski M. Ant‐induced evolutionary patterns in aphids. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1574-1589. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Depa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Bankowa 9 40‐007 Katowice Poland
| | - Natalia Kaszyca‐Taszakowska
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Bankowa 9 40‐007 Katowice Poland
| | - Artur Taszakowski
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Bankowa 9 40‐007 Katowice Poland
| | - Mariusz Kanturski
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Bankowa 9 40‐007 Katowice Poland
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14
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Thöming G, Koczor S, Szentkirályi F, Norli HR, Tasin M, Knudsen GK. Attraction of Chrysotropia ciliata (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) Males to P-Anisaldehyde, a Compound with Presumed Pheromone Function. J Chem Ecol 2020; 46:597-609. [PMID: 32588285 PMCID: PMC7371651 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In a field-trapping experiment with plant volatiles, we observed notably high attraction of green lacewing (Chrysotropia ciliata) males to the compound p-anisaldehyde. Based on this finding, we initiated the present study to elucidate this phenomenon and to investigate the chemical ecology of C. ciliata. Scanning electron microscopy revealed elliptical glands abundantly distributed on the 2nd to 6th abdominal sternites of C. ciliata males, whereas females of the species completely lacked such glands. No p-anisaldehyde was found in extractions of body parts of C. ciliata. Methyl p-anisate and p-methoxybenzoic acid were identified exclusively in the extract from abdominal segments 2–8 of males. Field-trapping experiments revealed no attraction of C. ciliata to either methyl p-anisate or p-methoxybenzoic acid. In contrast, males showed marked attraction to p-anisaldehyde in the field and antennae showed strong responses to this compound. Headspace collections in the field from living insects in their natural environment and during their main daily activity period indicated that p-anisaldehyde was emitted exclusively by C. ciliata males. Our overall results suggest that p-anisaldehyde might serve as a male-produced pheromone that attracts conspecific C. ciliata males. Here, we discuss hypotheses regarding possible mechanisms involved in regulation of p-anisaldehyde production, including involvement of the compounds methyl p-anisate and p-methoxybenzoic acid, and the potential ecological function of p-anisaldehyde in C. ciliata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunda Thöming
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, Box 115, NO-1431, Ås, PO, Norway.
| | - Sándor Koczor
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Szentkirályi
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hans R Norli
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, Box 115, NO-1431, Ås, PO, Norway
| | - Marco Tasin
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Geir K Knudsen
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health, Box 115, NO-1431, Ås, PO, Norway
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15
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Sievert T, Kerkhoven A, Haapakoski M, Matson KD, Ylönen O, Ylönen H. In utero behavioral imprinting to predation risk in pups of the bank vole. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2791-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In the predator–prey arms race, survival-enhancing adaptive behaviors are essential. Prey can perceive predator presence directly from visual, auditory, or chemical cues. Non-lethal encounters with a predator may trigger prey to produce special body odors, alarm pheromones, informing conspecifics about predation risks. Recent studies suggest that parental exposure to predation risk during reproduction affects offspring behavior cross-generationally. We compared behaviors of bank vole (Myodes glareolus) pups produced by parents exposed to one of three treatments: predator scent from the least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis); scent from weasel-exposed voles, i.e., alarm pheromones; or a control treatment without added scents. Parents were treated in semi-natural field enclosures, but pups were born in the lab and assayed in an open-field arena. Before each behavioral test, one of the three scent treatments was spread throughout the test arena. The tests followed a full factorial design (3 parental treatments × 3 area treatments). Regardless of the parents’ treatment, pups exposed to predator odor in the arena moved more. Additionally, pups spend more time in the center of the arena when presented with predator odor or alarm pheromone compared with the control. Pups from predator odor–exposed parents avoided the center of the arena under control conditions, but they spent more time in the center when either predator odor or alarm pheromone was present. Our experiment shows that cross-generational effects are context-sensitive, depending on the perceived risk. Future studies should examine cross-generational behavioral effects in ecologically meaningful environments instead of only neutral ones.
Significance statement
We exposed bank voles to odors signaling predation risk to assess the effects parental predation exposure on the behavior of their offspring. Besides predator odor, we also assessed the role of a conspecific alarm cue as a novel way of spreading the predation risk information. Pup behaviors were assessed in the open-field arena, a standard way of assessing animal behavior in a wide range of contexts. We found that also alarm pheromone increased the time pups spend in the center of the arena similarly to predator odor. While previous studies suggested that offspring would be more fearful, our results indicate that the cross-generational effects are very context-dependent; i.e., they differ significantly depending on which scent cue is presented in the open-field arena. This shows the need for better tools or measurements to translate laboratory results into ecologically meaningful frameworks.
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Li YY, Liu D, Chen L. Electrophysiological and Alarm Responses of Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (Short Title: EAG and Behavioral Responses of Fire Ants to Pyrazine). INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10120451. [PMID: 31847156 PMCID: PMC6955860 DOI: 10.3390/insects10120451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine is an isomer of 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine, the alarm pheromone component of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. The pyrazine was synthesized and its alarm activity was investigated under laboratory conditions. It elicited significant electroantennogram (EAG) activities, and released characteristic alarm behaviors in fire ant workers. The EAG and alarm responses were both dose-dependent. Two doses of the pyrazine, 1 and 100 ng, were further subjected to bait discovery bioassays. Fire ant workers excited by the pyrazine were attracted to food baits, and their numbers increased over time. Ants displayed very similar response patterns to both low and high doses of the pyrazine. The pyrazine impregnated onto filter paper disc attracted significantly more fire ant workers than the hexane control for all observation time intervals at the low dose, and in the first 15 min period at the high dose. The pyrazine loaded onto food bait directly tended to attract more fire ant workers than the hexane control. These results support the potential use of 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine to enhance bait attractiveness for the control of S. invicta in invaded regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ya Li
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas (Northwest A & F University), Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Deguang Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas (Northwest A & F University), Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (L.C.); Tel.: +86-29-8709-2697 (D.L.); +86-10-6480-7780 (L.C.)
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (L.C.); Tel.: +86-29-8709-2697 (D.L.); +86-10-6480-7780 (L.C.)
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Wang Z, Tan K. Honey Bee Alarm Pheromone Mediates Communication in Plant-Pollinator-Predator Interactions. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10100366. [PMID: 31640201 PMCID: PMC6835895 DOI: 10.3390/insects10100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Honey bees play a crucial role in pollination, and in performing this critical function, face numerous threats from predators and parasites during foraging and homing trips. Back in the nest, their defensive behavior drives some individuals to sacrifice themselves while fighting intruders with their stingers or mandibles. During these intense conflicts, bees release alarm pheromone to rapidly communicate with other nest mates about the present danger. However, we still know little about why and how alarm pheromone is used in plant–pollinator–predator interactions. Here, we review the history of previously detected bee alarm pheromones and the current state of the chemical analyses. More new components and functions have been confirmed in honey bee alarm pheromone. Then, we ask how important the alarm pheromones are in intra- and/or inter-species communication. Some plants even adopt mimicry systems to attract either the pollinators themselves or their predators for pollination via alarm pheromone. Pheromones are honest signals that evolved in one species and can be one of the main driving factors affecting co-evolution in plant–pollinator–predator interactions. Our review intends to stimulate new studies on the neuronal, molecular, behavioral, and evolutionary levels in order to understand how alarm pheromone mediates communication in plant–pollinator–predator interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650000, China.
- Center for Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China.
| | - Ken Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650000, China.
- Center for Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, China.
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18
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Orlova M, Amsalem E. Context matters: plasticity in response to pheromones regulating reproduction and collective behavior in social Hymenoptera. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 35:69-76. [PMID: 31404906 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones mediating social behavior are critical components in the cohesion and function of the colony and are instrumental in the evolution of eusocial insect species. However, different aspects of colony function, such as reproductive division of labor and colony maintenance (e.g. foraging, brood care, and defense), pose different challenges for the optimal function of pheromones. While reproductive communication is shaped by forces of conflict and competition, colony maintenance calls for enhanced cooperation and self-organization. Mechanisms that ensure efficacy, adaptivity and evolutionary stability of signals such as structure-to-function suitability, honesty and context are important to all chemical signals but vary to different degrees between pheromones regulating reproductive division of labor and colony maintenance. In this review, we will discuss these differences along with the mechanisms that have evolved to ensure pheromone adaptivity in reproductive and non-reproductive context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Orlova
- Department of Entomology, Center for Chemical Ecology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Etya Amsalem
- Department of Entomology, Center for Chemical Ecology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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19
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Exposure to Chemical Cues from Predator-Exposed Conspecifics Increases Reproduction in a Wild Rodent. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17214. [PMID: 30464245 PMCID: PMC6249244 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35568-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation involves more than just predators consuming prey. Indirect effects, such as fear responses caused by predator presence, can have consequences for prey life history. Laboratory experiments have shown that some rodents can recognize fear in conspecifics via alarm pheromones. Individuals exposed to alarm pheromones can exhibit behavioural alterations that are similar to those displayed by predator-exposed individuals. Yet the ecological and evolutionary significance of alarm pheromones in wild mammals remains unclear. We investigated how alarm pheromones affect the behaviour and fitness of wild bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in outdoor enclosures. Specifically, we compared the effects of exposure of voles living in a natural environment to a second-hand fear cue, bedding material used by predator-exposed voles. Control animals were exposed to bedding used by voles with no predator experience. We found a ca. 50% increase in litter size in the group exposed to the predator cue. Furthermore, female voles were attracted to and males were repelled by trap-associated bedding that had been used by predator-exposed voles. Movement and foraging were not significantly affected by the treatment. Our results suggest that predation risk can exert population-level effects through alarm pheromones on prey individuals that did not encounter a direct predator cue.
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20
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Ma R, Villar G, Grozinger CM, Rangel J. Larval pheromones act as colony-wide regulators of collective foraging behavior in honeybees. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R Ma
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - G Villar
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - C M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - J Rangel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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21
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Verheggen FJ, Vogel H, Vilcinskas A. Behavioral and Immunological Features Promoting the Invasive Performance of the Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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22
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Adaptation of Defensive Strategies by the Pea Aphid Mediates Predation Risk from the Predatory Lady Beetle. J Chem Ecol 2017; 44:40-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0908-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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23
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Marneweck C, Jürgens A, Shrader AM. Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:955-965. [PMID: 28983753 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In order for an olfactory signal to be effective, it must persist in the environment for an extended period. White rhino dung odours transmit information about sex, age, territorial and oestrous states. As these odours relay important information, temporal changes in the odour emission rate and/or composition may be critical in order for other individuals to obtain this information. Here, we examine how the dung odours of adult white rhinos (male: territorial and non-territorial; female: oestrous and non-oestrous) change over the short (hours) and long (seasons) term using headspace extraction. Additionally, we measure seasonal midden visitation and defecation frequency to link behaviours to seasonal changes in odour longevity. We found that during the dry season, territorial male dung odours persisted for 48 hours, while the odours of all other adults persisted for >48 hours. The high temperature and humidity of the wet season did not affect odour longevity of oestrous females, but decreased dung odour longevity (i.e. increased emission) of territorial males, non-territorial males, and non-oestrous females. Despite this reduction, neither males nor females adjusted their seasonal visitation or defecation frequency. With regard to a temporal indicator, 3,7-dimethly-1,6-octadiene signalled dung age during the wet season, while acetophenone signalled dung age during the dry season. Ultimately, our results provide the first detailed account of temporal changes of dung VOCs, and highlight the limitations of dung as a signalling medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Marneweck
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Andreas Jürgens
- Chemical Plant Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Adrian M Shrader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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24
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Mutic S, Brünner YF, Rodriguez-Raecke R, Wiesmann M, Freiherr J. Chemosensory danger detection in the human brain: Body odor communicating aggression modulates limbic system activation. Neuropsychologia 2017; 99:187-198. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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25
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Norman VC, Butterfield T, Drijfhout F, Tasman K, Hughes WOH. Alarm Pheromone Composition and Behavioral Activity in Fungus-Growing Ants. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:225-235. [PMID: 28247150 PMCID: PMC5371636 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0821-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chemical communication is a dominant method of communication throughout the animal kingdom and can be especially important in group-living animals in which communicating threats, either from predation or other dangers, can have large impacts on group survival. Social insects, in particular, have evolved a number of pheromonal compounds specifically to signal alarm. There is predicted to be little selection for interspecific variation in alarm cues because individuals may benefit from recognizing interspecific as well as conspecific cues and, consequently, alarm cues are not normally thought to be used for species or nestmate recognition. Here, we examine the composition of the alarm pheromones of seven species of fungus-growing ants (Attini), including both basal and derived species and examine the behavioral responses to alarm pheromone of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants, the sister genus to the highly studied Atta leaf-cutting ants. We find surprisingly high interspecific variation in alarm pheromone composition across the attine phylogeny. Interestingly, the active component of the alarm pheromone was different between the two leaf-cutting ant genera. Furthermore, in contrast to previous studies on Atta, we found no differences among morphological castes in their responses to alarm pheromone in Acromyrmex but we did find differences in responses among putative age classes. The results suggest that the evolution of alarm communication and signaling within social insect clades can be unexpectedly complex and that further work is warranted to understand whether the evolution of different alarm pheromone compounds is adaptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C Norman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Thomas Butterfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Falko Drijfhout
- Chemical Sciences Research Centre, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Kiah Tasman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - William O H Hughes
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
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26
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Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration Reduces Alarm Signaling in Aphids. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:164-171. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0818-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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27
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Xue W, Fan J, Zhang Y, Xu Q, Han Z, Sun J, Chen J. Identification and Expression Analysis of Candidate Odorant-Binding Protein and Chemosensory Protein Genes by Antennal Transcriptome of Sitobion avenae. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161839. [PMID: 27561107 PMCID: PMC4999175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) of aphids are thought to be responsible for the initial molecular interactions during olfaction that mediate detection of chemical signals. Analysis of the diversity of proteins involved comprises critical basic research work that will facilitate the development of sustainable pest control strategies. To help us better understand differences in the olfactory system between winged and wingless grain aphids, we constructed an antennal transcriptome from winged and wingless Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), one of the most serious pests of cereal fields worldwide. Among the 133,331 unigenes in the antennal assembly, 13 OBP and 5 CSP putative transcripts were identified with 6 OBP and 3 CSP sequences representing new S. avenae annotations. We used qPCR to examine the expression profile of these genes sets across S. avenae development and in various tissues. We found 7 SaveOBPs and 1 SaveCSP were specifically or significantly elevated in antennae compared with other tissues, and that some transcripts (SaveOBP8, SaveCSP2 and SaveCSP5) were abundantly expressed in the legs of winged or wingless aphids. The expression levels of the SaveOBPs and SaveCSPs varied depending on the developmental stage. Possible physiological functions of these genes are discussed. Further molecular and functional studies of these olfactory related genes will explore their potential as novel targets for controlling S. avenae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Xue
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jia Fan
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qingxuan Xu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zongli Han
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jingrui Sun
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Julian Chen
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- * E-mail: ;
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Use of slow-release plant infochemicals to control aphids: a first investigation in a Belgian wheat field. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31552. [PMID: 27530318 PMCID: PMC4987622 DOI: 10.1038/srep31552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Using infochemicals to develop a push–pull strategy in pest control is a potential way to promote sustainable crop production. Infochemicals from plant essential oils were mixed with paraffin oil for slow release in field experiments on wheat to control the population density of cereal aphids and to enhance their natural enemies. (Z)-3-Hexenol (Z3H) attracted Metopolophum dirhodum and Sitobion avenae, the predominant species on wheat in Belgium, and may be a useful infochemical for aphid control by attracting aphids away from field plots. Release of (E)-β-farnesene (EBF) or a garlic extract (GE) led to a significant decrease in the abundance of wheat aphids. The main natural enemies of cereal aphids found were lacewings (47.8%), hoverflies (39.4%), and ladybirds (12.8%). Ladybird abundance varied little before the end of the wheat-growing season. Our results suggest that these chemicals can form the basis of a “push–pull” strategy for aphid biological control, with GE and EBF acting as a pest- and beneficial-pulling stimulus and Z3H for aphid pulling.
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Leonhardt SD, Menzel F, Nehring V, Schmitt T. Ecology and Evolution of Communication in Social Insects. Cell 2016; 164:1277-1287. [PMID: 26967293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Insect life strategies comprise all levels of sociality from solitary to eusocial, in which individuals form persistent groups and divide labor. With increasing social complexity, the need to communicate a greater diversity of messages arose to coordinate division of labor, group cohesion, and concerted actions. Here we summarize the knowledge on prominent messages in social insects that inform about reproduction, group membership, resource locations, and threats and discuss potential evolutionary trajectories of each message in the context of social complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Diana Leonhardt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Nehring
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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Gračanin A, van Assen MALM, Omrčen V, Koraj I, Vingerhoets AJJM. Chemosignalling effects of human tears revisited: Does exposure to female tears decrease males’ perception of female sexual attractiveness? Cogn Emot 2016; 31:139-150. [DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2016.1151402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asmir Gračanin
- Department of Medical & Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
- Tilburg Center for Cognition and Communication, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marcel A. L. M. van Assen
- Department of Methodology & Statistics, Tilburg University, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Višnja Omrčen
- Department of Psychology, University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ivana Koraj
- Department of Psychology, University of Rijeka, Croatia
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Iovinella I, Pelosi P, Conti B. A rationale to design longer lasting mosquito repellents. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1813-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3827-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Radulescu AR, Mujica-Parodi LR. Human gender differences in the perception of conspecific alarm chemosensory cues. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68485. [PMID: 23894310 PMCID: PMC3722227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has previously been established that, in threatening situations, animals use alarm pheromones to communicate danger. There is emerging evidence of analogous chemosensory "stress" cues in humans. For this study, we collected alarm and exercise sweat from "donors," extracted it, pooled it and presented it to 16 unrelated "detector" subjects undergoing fMRI. The fMRI protocol consisted of four stimulus runs, with each combination of stimulus condition and donor gender represented four times. Because olfactory stimuli do not follow the canonical hemodynamic response, we used a model-free approach. We performed minimal preprocessing and worked directly with block-average time series and step-function estimates. We found that, while male stress sweat produced a comparably strong emotional response in both detector genders, female stress sweat produced a markedly stronger arousal in female than in male detectors. Our statistical tests pinpointed this gender-specificity to the right amygdala (strongest in the superficial nuclei). When comparing the olfactory bulb responses to the corresponding stimuli, we found no significant differences between male and female detectors. These imaging results complement existing behavioral evidence, by identifying whether gender differences in response to alarm chemosignals are initiated at the perceptual versus emotional level. Since we found no significant differences in the olfactory bulb (primary processing site for chemosensory signals in mammals), we infer that the specificity in responding to female fear is likely based on processing meaning, rather than strength, of chemosensory cues from each gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca R Radulescu
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Modulation of Aphid Alarm Pheromone Emission of Pea Aphid Prey by Predators. J Chem Ecol 2013; 39:773-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-013-0288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Enjin A, Suh GSB. Neural mechanisms of alarm pheromone signaling. Mol Cells 2013; 35:177-81. [PMID: 23471444 PMCID: PMC3887916 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-013-0056-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alarm pheromones are important semiochemicals used by many animal species to alert conspecifics or other related species of impending danger. In this review, we describe recent developments in our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the ability of fruit flies, zebrafish and mice to mediate the detection of alarm pheromones. Specifically, alarm pheromones are detected in these species through specialized olfactory subsystems that are unique to the chemosensitive receptors, second messenger-signaling and physiology. Thus, the alarm pheromones appears to be detected by signaling mechanisms that are distinct from those seen in the canonical olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Enjin
- Molecular Neurobiology Program, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016,
USA
| | - Greg Seong-Bae Suh
- Molecular Neurobiology Program, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016,
USA
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35
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Social but not solitary bees reject dangerous flowers where a conspecific has recently been attacked. Anim Behav 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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37
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Vandermoten S, Mescher MC, Francis F, Haubruge E, Verheggen FJ. Aphid alarm pheromone: an overview of current knowledge on biosynthesis and functions. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 42:155-63. [PMID: 22178597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aphids are important agricultural and forest pests that exhibit complex behaviors elicited by pheromonal signals. The aphid alarm pheromone--of which (E)-β-farnesene is the key (or only) component in most species--plays important roles in mediating interactions among individuals as well as multitrophic interactions among plants, aphids, and aphid natural enemies. Though many important questions remain to be answered, a large body of research has addressed various aspects of the biology, physiology, and ecology of aphid alarm pheromones. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of (a) the identity and composition of aphid alarm signals; (b) their biosynthesis and production; (c) their effects on conspecifics; (d) their role as cues for other insect species; and (e) their potential application for the management of pest organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Vandermoten
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Passage des Déportés 2, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
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Zirbes L, Mescher M, Vrancken V, Wathelet JP, Verheggen FJ, Thonart P, Haubruge E. Earthworms use odor cues to locate and feed on microorganisms in soil. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21927. [PMID: 21799756 PMCID: PMC3140477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Earthworms are key components of temperate soil ecosystems but key aspects of their ecology remain unexamined. Here we elucidate the role of olfactory cues in earthworm attraction to food sources and document specific chemical cues that attract Eisenia fetida to the soil fungi Geotrichum candidum. Fungi and other microorganisms are major sources of volatile emissions in soil ecosystems as well as primary food sources for earthworms, suggesting the likelihood that earthworms might profitably use olfactory cues to guide foraging behavior. Moreover, previous studies have documented earthworm movement toward microbial food sources. But, the specific olfactory cues responsible for earthworm attraction have not previously been identified. Using olfactometer assays combined with chemical analyses (GC-MS), we documented the attraction of E. fetida individuals to filtrate derived from G. candidum colonies and to two individual compounds tested in isolation: ethyl pentanoate and ethyl hexanoate. Attraction at a distance was observed when barriers prevented the worms from reaching the target stimuli, confirming the role of volatile cues. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying key trophic interactions in soil ecosystems and have potential implications for the extraction and collection of earthworms in vermiculture and other applied activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Zirbes
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium.
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