Potential Semiochemical Molecules from Birds: A Practical and Comprehensive Compilation of the Last 20 Years Studies

Abstract

During the past 2 decades, considerable progress has been made in the study of bird semiochemistry, and our goal was to review and evaluate this literature with particular emphasis on the volatile organic constituents. Indeed, since the importance of social chemosignaling in birds is becoming more and more apparent, the search for molecules involved in chemical communication is of critical interest. These molecules can be found in different sources that include uropygial gland secretions, feather-surface compounds, and molecules from feces and skin. Although many studies have examined the chemical substances secreted by birds, research on bird chemical communication is still at the start, so new strategies for collecting samples and development of new methods of analysis are urgently required. As a first step, we built a database that brings together potential semiochemicals, using a unique chemical nomenclature for comparing different bird species and also for referencing the different classes of substances that can be found in order to adapt future parameters of analysis. The most important patterns of the wax fraction of preen secretions are highlighted and organized in an ordered table. We also draw up a list of various combinations of sampling and analytical techniques, so that each method can be compared at a glance.

Detection and perception of generic host volatiles by mosquitoes modulate host preference: context dependence of (R)-1-octen-3-ol

“…The fact that ( R )-1-octen-3-ol was not detected in the chicken extracts is in line with previous studies on chickens and other bird species [32–34]. The observed increase in sensitivity of An.…”

Variation in Preen Oil Composition Pertaining to Season, Sex, and Genotype in the Polymorphic White-Throated Sparrow

“…Our results also show that this seasonal variation in preen oil composition is independent of diet, and suggest that preen oil has additional roles and increased importance during the breeding season. Explanations for a seasonal shift in odor composition include nest crypsis (Reneerkens et al 2002(Reneerkens et al , 2007Soini et al 2007), increased protection from ectoparasites (Moyer et al 2003;Shawkey et al 2003;Soini et al 2007) and use as social chemosignals (Campagna et al 2012;Hagelin 2007a, b;Hagelin and Jones 2007;Mardon et al 2010;Whittaker et al 2010). All the above factors could be relevant in the white-throated sparrow, but since our samples were composed primarily of males, who, in this species, do not incubate at the nest, we suspect that preen oils function as social signals and, possibly, as an aid in parasite resistance.…”

“…There are many potential sources of avian chemical signals (Campagna et al 2012;Hagelin 2007a;Hagelin and Jones 2007), but preen gland secretions arising from the uropygial gland at the base of the tail could prove to be one of the most important. Preen oil has a role in waterproofing (Elder 1954) and feather maintenance (Jacob and ZisweIler 1982).…”

Research with Chemistry and Pharmacology of Natural Products in Brazil: A Comparison with 70 Selected Countries from 5 Continents

“…[7][8][9] Karlson and Butenendt s 3 and Law and Rengier s 4 article were limited to pheromones. However, today it is also well established that pheromones and other semiochemicals (or small molecules, as Meinwald 7 called them) are found in microorganisms [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] , amphibinas [17][18][19][20][21] , spiders [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] , birds [29][30][31][32][33] , marine organisms [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] , non-human mammals [42][43][44][45][46] , and humans. [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] According to Verpoorte 54 there are some 250,000 of such 'natural products' and some 4,000 new ones are reported ev...…”