Heteropteran chemical repellents identified in the citrus odor of a seabird (crested auklet: Aethia cristatella): evolutionary convergence in chemical ecology

Douglas, Hector D.; Co, J. E.; Jones, Tappey H.; Conner, William E.

doi:10.1007/s001140100236

Cited by 61 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Future chemical and behavioural testing promise to reveal: (i) possible reactions of birds to heterospecific odour; (ii) more subtle conspecific differences between males and females; and (iii) variation between wild and captive populations. With regard to captives, Douglas et al (2001) anecdotally reported that at least one colony (different from that used in this study) might lack odour year-round. Interestingly, the breedingseason plumage we collected from captives exhibited a chemical profile that was generally similar to wild birds (table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Third, auklets not only recognized feather odour and two chemical components, but also distinguished between different kinds of odour (figure 3), both of which are prerequisites for chemical communication (Bradbury & Veherencamp 1998). Fourth, the primary courtship display, the 'ruff sniff', involves a strongly scented body region and implicates odour in a specific social context (Jones 1993a Hunter & Jones 1999;Douglas et al 2001), as birds simultaneously rub their bills in the scented nape of their display partner (figure 1). Thus, tangerine odour could function as an olfactory ornament.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A tangerine-scented social odour in a monogamous seabird

Hagelin

Jones

Rasmussen

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

152

131

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Social odours, conspecific chemical signals, have been demonstrated in every class of vertebrate except birds. The apparent absence is surprising, as every bird examined has a functional olfactory system and many produce odours. The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella), a monogamous seabird, exhibits a distinctive tangerine-like scent closely associated with courtship. Using T-maze experiments, we tested whether auklets preferred conspecific odours and whether they distinguished between different types of scent, two prerequisites of chemical communication. Crested auklets exhibited: (i) an attraction to conspecific feather odour; (ii) a preference for two chemical components of feather scent (cis-4-decenal and octanal), which we identified as seasonally elevated; and (iii) differential responses to odours, as indicated by a preference for auklet odour, an aversion to mammalian musk, but no significant response to banana essence (amyl acetate). Our results suggest that crested auklets detect plumage odour and preferentially orientate towards this stimulus. The striking and well-described courtship display that involves the scented neck region, the 'ruff sniff', provides a conspicuous behavioural mechanism for odour transmission and the potential for scent assessment during sexual selection. Although the importance and full social function of chemical signals are just beginning to be understood in birds, including crested auklets, social odours promise to reveal a largely unexplored and possibly widespread means of avian communication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A tangerine-scented social odour in a monogamous seabird

Hagelin

Jones

Rasmussen

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

152

131

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“…1), which emit a pungent citrus-like odor that humans can detect at a considerable distance from breeding colonies [82]. Douglas et al [83] identified the odor constituents as a series of short-chained, saturated and monounsaturated aldehydes, which are corrosive irritants that are volatile and reactive. The authors suggested that the citrus odor might repel ectoparasites since two of the major constituents, hexanal and octanal, are known arthropod repellents.…”

Section: Odorous Feathersmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

Clayton¹,

Koop²,

Harbison³

et al. 2010

TOOENIJ

222

211

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Birds are plagued by an impressive diversity of ectoparasites, ranging from feather-feeding lice, to featherdegrading bacteria. Many of these ectoparasites have severe negative effects on host fitness. It is therefore not surprising that selection on birds has favored a variety of possible adaptations for dealing with ectoparasites. The functional significance of some of these defenses has been well documented. Others have barely been studied, much less tested rigorously. In this article we review the evidence -or lack thereof -for many of the purported mechanisms birds have for dealing with ectoparasites. We concentrate on features of the plumage and its components, as well as anti-parasite behaviors. In some cases, we present original data from our own recent work. We make recommendations for future studies that could improve our understanding of this poorly known aspect of avian biology.

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“…Compounds isolated from the feathers of this species include n-hexanal, n-octanal, n-decanal, Z-4-decenal and a 12-carbon unsaturated aldehyde. Octanal and hexanal are ectoparasite repellents and a signal of mate quality at the same time (Douglas et al, 2001). Uropygial gland secretions seem to operate differently in different taxa of ectoparasites.…”

Section: Antiparasitic Substancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biologically active substances of bird skin: a review

Rajchard¹

2010

Vet. Med. - Czech

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Bird skin has a number of specific properties. The uropygial gland is a significant skin gland in many species. The secretion of this gland is particularly necessary for maintaining physical characteristics, including feather waterproofing. In some bird species this gland secretion has a repellent effect against potential mammalian predators; in other species it affects the final colour of feathers. In the investigated species of storks (genus Ciconia), secretions of the uropygial gland have been found to be mixtures of monoester waxes, diester waxes, triester waxes and triglycerides. Wax diesters were also found in the red knot Calidris canutus (order Charadriiformes). Lipid substances in the secretions of the rock dove (Columba livia) consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids (59% secretion; mostly oleic acid – 37%, linoleic acid – 6% and arachidonic acid – 7%). Free fatty acids, which are decomposition products of epidermal lipids, can regulate microbial colonization of skin (e.g., by modification of pH); a shift of these values was detected in poultry in battery husbandry. Analysis of fatty acids from lipids shows the influence of age, diet, and also the relationship to feather pecking – the individual composition affects the smell and taste, and thus the attractiveness to other individuals. The antibacterial activity of skin secretions has been demonstrated. Secretions of the hoopoe (Upupa epops) have besides the function of maintenance of physical properties of feathers also a repellent effect on parasites and predators. Its active substance is a peptide bacteriocin, produced by strains of Enterococcus faecalis. This substance is active against a number of both G + and G-bacteria and helps to sustain the nest hygiene, it is also effective against Bacillus licheniformis that produces keratin-decompositing enzymes. A similar antimicrobial activity of uropygial secretion against bacteria which degrade feathers was demonstrated in the wild house finch Carpodacus mexicanus. Changes in skin microflora have been demonstrated in parrots kept for breeding in comparison with those living in the wild, which may have significance for husbandry practices and veterinary care. Passerines of the genus Pitohui and Ifrita living in New Guinea store in their skin and feather batrachotoxins, which they receive from food - beetles of the genus Choresine. These toxins are active against parasites (e.g. lice – Phthiraptera). In contrast, substances that act as potential attractants for hematophagous insects (e.g. mosquitoes of genus Culex) were found in the skin of chickens. Alcohols, ketones and diones were detected in these substances. The composition of uropygial gland secretions may be a guide in assessing the relatedness of bird species. Feather waxes can be analyzed also from old museum specimens. Lipid-enriched organelles, multigranular bodies in the epidermis mean that zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) are facultatively waterproof, which appears to have a function in protecting the organism against dehydrating when water is unavailable.

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Heteropteran chemical repellents identified in the citrus odor of a seabird (crested auklet: Aethia cristatella): evolutionary convergence in chemical ecology

Cited by 61 publications

References 22 publications

A tangerine-scented social odour in a monogamous seabird

A tangerine-scented social odour in a monogamous seabird

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites

Biologically active substances of bird skin: a review

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