Volatile compounds released by disturbed and undisturbed adults of Anchomenus dorsalis (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Platynini) and structure of the pygidial gland

Abstract

Volatile compounds produced by adults of Anchomenus dorsalis under undisturbed and disturbed conditions were investigated with an all-glass aeration apparatus. GC-MS analysis of the crude extracts from undisturbed and disturbed adults highlighted four major volatile compounds, undecane, heneicosane, Z-9 tricosene and tricosane, of which significantly more undecane was released by disturbed adults compared to undisturbed beetles. The pygidial glands of adults of Anchomenus dorsalis were investigated using light and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Each gland showed dense aggregates of secretory cells organized into visually distinct lobes; a long collecting canal that drains the secretion towards the reservoir, a bean-shaped double lobed muscular reservoir in which secretion is stored and a short duct (efferent duct) through which the secretion is discharged. The function of the pygidial glands and the possible role played by undecane as a defensive allomone and/or chemical signalling molecule are discussed.

Molecular Diversity of Compounds from Pygidial Gland Secretions of Cave-Dwelling Ground Beetles: The First Evidence

“…Namely, Trechinae (including Trechini and Bembidiini) possess the following compounds in their secretions: aldehydes, low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids, aliphatic ketones, low-and high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and aromatic acids (Schildknecht 1970;Schildknecht et al 1968a,b;present study), while Platyninae are characterized primarily by the presence of a combination of formic acid and alkanes, but additional compounds also are found (alkenes, esters, acetic acid, fatty acids, alcohols, ketones, etc.) (Blum 1981;Bonacci et al 2011;Will et al 2010;present study).…”

“…The combination of formic acid and alkanes is common for a few Platyninae taxa, both from Europe and North America (Blum 1981;Lečić et al 2014;Schildknecht et al 1968a,b;Will et al 2010). Certain Platyninae contain additional compounds in the secretions apart from the forementioned (alkenes, esters, fatty acids, ketones, etc.)…”

“…Certain Platyninae contain additional compounds in the secretions apart from the forementioned (alkenes, esters, fatty acids, ketones, etc.) (Bonacci et al 2011;Will et al 2010). In the case of representatives of Sphodrini, formic acid and alkanes are common in all taxa (Lečić et al 2014), whereas long-chain acetates and fatty acids are specific to some North American Calathus species (Will et al 2010).…”

Functional species traits of carabid beetles living in two riparian alder forests of the Sila plateau subject to different disturbance factors (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

“…The old stand showed a lower number of species, most of which are less than 10 mm long, higher percentages of endemic predator, spring breeder and stenotopic forest dwellers, and a lower proportion of species able to fly. Although the younger stand had a larger number of species, out of the 19 species found here and not in the older stand, three (Abax parallelepipedus curtulus, Nebria kratteri, Carabus preslii) are strictly associated with forests (Brandmayr & Zetto Brandmayr 1987) and one (Asaphidion stierlini) is a visual predator (Ribera et al 1999) associated with more or less shaded waterside sandbanks (Brandmayr & Brunello Zanitti 1982 (Jeannel 1941-42;Lindroth 1945;Thiele 1977;Vigna Taglianti 2000;Mazzei et al 2010;Bonacci et al 2011). Species traits suggest that, in comparison with the older stand, the younger one is a less stable environment (fewer endemic and brachypterous species), has a lower prey diversity (fewer table 1 -Carabid species included in the analysis and their ecological attributes.…”

Chemical diversity and potential biological functions of the pygidial gland secretions in two species of Neotropical dung roller beetles

“…Solvent extraction of dissected glands is a frequently used standard method (Moore and Brown 1971;Attygalle et al 2004;Francke and Dettner 2005;Bonacci et al 2011;Holliday et al 2012;Schierling et al 2012). However, it is not optimal for sample preparation, because large amounts of body lipids are carried out as contaminants and these may interfere with the separation steps that follow.…”