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Staples, Joseph K.; Krall, Bryan; Bartelt, Robert J.; Whitman, Douglas W.

doi:10.1023/a:1014552414580

Cited by 26 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In several true bug families, aliphatic esters are released from the metathoracic scent glands (MSGs; Aldrich, 1988), and in Miridae, they are the main components of the emitted volatiles (Knight et al ., 1984). In Miridae, MSG secretions function as pheromones or defense signals (Kakizak & Sugie, 2001; Staples et al ., 2002) and are released upon disturbance or predator attack. Two of the secreted components, hexyl butyrate and ( E )-2-hexenyl butyrate (Byers, 2006), have been shown to be strong attractants for foraging chloropids in North America ( Olcella sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The betrayed thief – the extraordinary strategy ofAristolochia rotundato deceive its pollinators

et al. 2014

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Pollination of several angiosperms is based on deceit. In such systems, the flowers advertise a reward that ultimately is not provided. We report on a previously unknown pollination/mimicry system discovered in deceptive Aristolochia rotunda (Aristolochiaceae).Pollinators were collected in the natural habitat and identified. Flower scent and the volatiles of insects (models) potentially mimicked were analyzed by chemical analytical techniques. Electrophysiological and behavioral tests on the pollinators identified the components that mediate the plant–pollinator interaction and revealed the model of the mimicry system.The main pollinators of A. rotunda were female Chloropidae. They are food thieves that feed on secretions of true bugs (Miridae) while these are eaten by arthropod predators. Freshly killed mirids and Aristolochia flowers released the same scent components that chloropids use to find their food sources. Aristolochia exploits these components to deceive their chloropid pollinators.Aristolochia and other trap flowers were believed to lure saprophilous flies and mimic brood sites of pollinators. We demonstrate for A. rotunda, and hypothesize for other deceptive angiosperms, the evolution of a different, kleptomyiophilous pollination strategy. It involves scent mimicry and the exploitation of kleptoparasitic flies as pollinators. Our findings suggest a reconsideration of plants assumed to show sapromyiophilous pollination.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The betrayed thief – the extraordinary strategy ofAristolochia rotundato deceive its pollinators

et al. 2014

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“…This large, charismatic stinkbug is widely distributed along the eastern and northern coasts of Australia and nearby Pacific islands [29]. Its defensive secretions have been identified [30], and these chemicals are known to be aversive to some predators, including birds [31] and praying mantids [32]. Rather than employing the more ‘typical’ aposematic color scheme of red or yellow with black markings, T. diopthalmus display a matte red-orange background with bright metallic blue-green iridescent patches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of Color Production in a Highly Variable Shield-Back Stinkbug, Tectocoris diopthalmus (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), and Why It Matters

et al. 2013

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Theory suggests that aposematism, specifically the learned avoidance of unprofitable prey via memorable color patterns, should result in selection for pattern uniformity. However, many examples to the contrary are seen in nature. Conversely, honest sexual signals are likely to exhibit greater variation because they reflect underlying variation in mate quality. Here we aim to characterize and quantify the mechanistic causes of color in Tectocoris diopthalmus to shed light on the costs of color production, and thus the potential information content of its color signals. We use Tectocoris diopthalmus because it is a weakly-defended stinkbug, and presents elements that have classically been studied in the context of aposematism (red coloring), and sexual selection (sexual dichromatism and iridescent coloring). Pigment analysis reveals that variation in orange coloration is due to the amount of erythropterin pigment, stored in intracellular granules. This pigment is common in Heteroptera, and as an endogenously produced excretory byproduct is unlikely to reflect mate quality or variation in unprofitability of the bug. Electron microscopy reveals the iridescent patches are caused by an epicuticular multilayer reflector, and the hue and patch size are directly related to the layer widths and extent of coverage of this layering. Furthermore, we identified melanin as an essential component of the multilayer reflector system; therefore, the quality of the iridescent patches may be affected by aspects of rearing environment and immunocompetence. We posit that T. diopthalmus has co-opted the melanic patches of a ‘typical’ red and black aposematic signal, transforming it into a complex and variable iridescent signal that may enhance its capacity to display individual quality.

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“…2-decenal is formed similarly and is known to have nematicidal activity, particularly against Meloidegyne spp. 2alkenals in particular are activators of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in sensory neurons, used as defense mechanisms by many arthropods, but also act as specific deterrents against ants (Staples et al, 2002). It is unclear whether these volatiles act as deterrents to non-myrmecochorous ants and/or other predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Elaiosome Mediates Dispersal by Ants and Impacts Germination in Ricinus communis

Sasidharan

Venkatesan

2019

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Myrmecochory is the ant-mediated secondary dispersal of seeds that depends on the presence of a lipid-rich seed appendage known as "elaiosome." Attractive cues of elaiosomes that drive such an interaction and benefits to the plant are not clearly understood. Here, using Ricinus communis, we establish reward compositions and determine the benefits of myrmecochory to the plant. We also compare elaiosome compositions across ecotypes. Our results show that the elaiosome is essential for seed displacement and olfactory cues are important attractive cues. Nonanal and 2-decenal were found to be the major attractive volatiles in the castor elaiosome. Different ant species showed different behaviors toward elaiosome-bearing seeds. Among them, Pheidole grayi was efficient in dispersal but did not disperse all seed ecotypes tested. Major differences in fatty acid levels were observed between ecotypes. To determine the benefits of myrmecochory, germination rates before and after removal of elaiosome were studied. Seed germination improved upon elaiosome removal and aqueous elaiosome extract inhibited germination indicating water-soluble inhibitory factors. Further, ant nest sites were richer in nitrogen than control sites, revealing a clear benefit of seed displacement. In summary, we demonstrate the ecological significance of the seed elaiosomes in the absence of nutritive rewards for seed dispersers.

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Untitled

Cited by 26 publications

References 15 publications

The betrayed thief – the extraordinary strategy ofAristolochia rotundato deceive its pollinators

The betrayed thief – the extraordinary strategy ofAristolochia rotundato deceive its pollinators

Mechanisms of Color Production in a Highly Variable Shield-Back Stinkbug, Tectocoris diopthalmus (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), and Why It Matters

Seed Elaiosome Mediates Dispersal by Ants and Impacts Germination in Ricinus communis

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