Physical properties of insect cuticular hydrocarbons: The effects of chain length, methyl-branching and unsaturation

Gibbs, Allen G.; Pomonis, J. George

doi:10.1016/0305-0491(95)00081-x

Cited by 223 publications

(222 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A plausible explanation is that a certain fluidity of the CHC layer is required to allow diffusion across the cuticle [71]. To maintain fluidity despite a higher relative abundance of n-alkanes, slavemakers need overall shorter chain-lengths, since longer-chained n-alkanes would aggregate too tightly and thus reduce CHC fluidity [72,73]. This hypothesis is corroborated by the correspondence of relative n-alkane abundance and average chain-length in the different castes and species ( figure 2a,b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of slavemaking lifestyle, caste and sex on chemical profiles in Temnothorax ants: insights into the evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons

Kleeberg¹,

Menzel²,

Foitzik³

2017

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Chemical communication is central for the formation and maintenance of insect societies. Generally, social insects only allow nest-mates into their colony, which are recognized by their cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Social parasites, which exploit insect societies, are selected to circumvent host recognition. Here, we studied whether chemical strategies to reduce recognition evolved convergently in slavemaking ants, and whether they extend to workers, queens and males alike. We studied CHCs of three social parasites and their related hosts to investigate whether the parasitic lifestyle selects for specific chemical traits that reduce host recognition. Slavemaker profiles were characterized by shorter-chained hydrocarbons and a shift from methyl-branched alkanes to n -alkanes, presumably to reduce recognition cue quantity. These shifts were consistent across independent origins of slavery and were found in isolated ants and those emerging in their mother colony. Lifestyle influenced profiles of workers most profoundly, with little effect on virgin queen profiles. We detected an across-species caste signal, with workers, for which nest-mate recognition is particularly important, carrying more and longer-chained hydrocarbons and males exhibiting a larger fraction of n -alkanes. This comprehensive study of CHCs across castes and species reveals how lifestyle-specific selection can result in convergent evolution of chemical phenotypes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of slavemaking lifestyle, caste and sex on chemical profiles in Temnothorax ants: insights into the evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons

Kleeberg¹,

Menzel²,

Foitzik³

2017

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…Most arthropods contain straight-chain alkanes with >20 carbons, which melt above 35°C (Gibbs and Pomonis, 1995). Below the melting point, pure n-alkanes can exist in several crystalline states with different packing arrangements (Small, 1986).…”

Section: Physical Properties Of Pure Hydrocarbons and Model Mixturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All double bonds of cuticular hydrocarbons are in the cis conformation, which introduces a permanent 30 degree kink in the molecule. This disrupts packing, and alkenes melt ~50°C below the T m of nalkanes having the same chain length (Gibbs and Pomonis, 1995).…”

Section: Physical Properties Of Pure Hydrocarbons and Model Mixturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This occurs in spite of the fact that n-alkanes from M. sanguinipes tend to be shorter than methylalkanes. It appears that the higher T m of straight-chain alkanes (Gibbs and Pomonis, 1995) more than offsets the effects of their shorter chain length. In the desert fruit fly, D. mojavensis, thermal acclimation results in longer-chain hydrocarbons (primarily alkenes), but no change in T m (Gibbs et al, 1998).…”

Section: Physical Properties Of Cuticular Lipidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water-Proofing Properties of Cuticular Lipids

Gibbs

1998

Am Zool

416

320

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SYNOPSIS. Epicuticular lipids play a critical role in allowing arthropods to thrive in terrestrial environments, by reducing transpiration of water through the cuticle. These lipids consist of a diverse array of compounds, especiaUy long-chain hydrocarbons. Rates of water loss are correlated with hydrocarbon structural features, including chain length, unsaturation and methyl-branching. The water-proofing abilities of cuticular lipids appear to depend largely on their physical properties. In most arthropods, rates of water loss increase rapidly above a "transition" temperature. A widely accepted model proposes that this transition is due to melting of the surface lipids to a fluid, permeable state. Evidence for this hypothesis has primarily been correlative, due to experimental limitations. Recent technical advances in lipid biophysics and water loss measurements have made it possible to test the lipid melting model more directly. Experiments using model cuticles, in vitro preparations and intact arthropods support the idea that the phase behavior of cuticular lipids is a major factor determining cuticular permeability.

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“…The majority of the n alkanes and monomethyl alkanes likely provide protection against water loss. It is unlikely that n alkanes, and, to some extent, mono methyl alkanes, function as stable and distinctive communication signals (Gibbs and Pomonis 1995; Howard and Blomquist 2005; Martin and Drijfhout 2009 ) because these compounds are shared across taxa and vary considerably depending on environmental factors (Gibbs andPomonis 1995 ; Gibbs 1998 ).…”

Section: Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profilementioning

confidence: 99%

The Long and the Short of Mate Attraction in a Psylloid: do Semiochemicals Mediate Mating in Aacanthocnema dobsoni Froggatt?

et al. 2016

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Mating is preceded by a series of interdependent events that can be broadly categorized into searching and courtship. Long range signals convey species and sex specific information during searching, while short range signals provide information specific to individuals during courtship. Studies have shown that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can be used for mate recognition in addition to protecting insects from desiccation. In Psylloidea, four species rely on semiochemicals for long range mate attraction. Psyllid mating research has focused on long range mate attraction and has largely ignored the potential use of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) as mate recognition cues. This study investigated whether CHCs of Aacanthocnema dobsoni have semiochemical activity for long and short range communication prior to mating. Using a solid sampler for solvent less injection of whole psyllids into coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we found quantitative, sex and age related differences in CHC profiles. Males had higher proportions of 2 MeC , 11,15 diMeC , and n C alkanes, while females had higher proportions of 5 MeC , 3 MeC , 5,15 diMeC , n C and n C alkanes. In males and females, 84 and 68 % of CHCs varied with age, respectively. Y tube olfactometer bioassays provided no evidence that males or females responded to odors emanating from groups of conspecifics of the opposite sex. Tests of male and female psyllids for attraction to branchlets previously occupied by conspecifics showed no evidence of attraction to possible semiochemical residues. Our short range chemoreception bioassay showed that males were as indifferent to freshly killed individuals of either sex with intact CHC profiles as to those treated with hexane (to remove CHCs). Aacanthocnema dobsoni utilizes substrate-borne vibrations (SBVs) for communication. Therefore, our results indicate that SBVs are probably more important than semiochemicals for long range mate attraction. Furthermore, CHCs are unlikely to mediate short range mate recognition or provide mate assessment cues.

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Physical properties of insect cuticular hydrocarbons: The effects of chain length, methyl-branching and unsaturation

Cited by 223 publications

References 26 publications

The influence of slavemaking lifestyle, caste and sex on chemical profiles in Temnothorax ants: insights into the evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons

The influence of slavemaking lifestyle, caste and sex on chemical profiles in Temnothorax ants: insights into the evolution of cuticular hydrocarbons

Water-Proofing Properties of Cuticular Lipids

The Long and the Short of Mate Attraction in a Psylloid: do Semiochemicals Mediate Mating in Aacanthocnema dobsoni Froggatt?

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