Mandibular gland secretions in alloxystine wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Charipidae): do ecological or phylogenetical constraints influence occurrence or composition?

Abstract 50 volatile constituents of the mandibular gland secretions in males and females of three species of Andrena bees, A. wilkella (Chr.), A. ovatula (K .) and A. ocreata (K .), have been identified. The secretions are made up of a series of spiroacetals of four different systems together with mono-terpenes and unbranched acyclic compounds. Many of the components, particularly several of the dominant ones, occur in both sexes of all three species, so that the volatile secretions are qualitatively very similar. Females contain about 100 μg per individuum , which is 3-5 times the amount of the males’ secretions. Major spiroacetals are E,E- and Z ,E-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxa-spiro[5.5]undecane and E,E-and Z,E-2-ethyl-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]undecane, while prominent monoterpenes are geraniol and citronellol. Straight chain hydrocarbons C17, C19, C21 and C23 occur in fairly large amounts, mostly with increasing concentrations. With respect to the quantitative distribution of components of minor concentration, the bouquet of A. wilkella is clearly distinguishable from A. ovatula and A. ocreata which from the morphological and ethological point of view are more closely related. Behaviour tests with A. wilkella indicate high biological activity of the main spiroacetal.

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A comparative analysis of mandibular gland secretions in the ant tribe tetramoriini

Insect Biochemistry ◽

10.1016/0020-1790(80)90046-3 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 107-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

C. Longhurst ◽

R. Baker ◽

P.E. Howse

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Mandibular Gland ◽

Mandibular Gland Secretions

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Chemistry of male mandibular gland secretions ofPhilanthus basilaris cresson andPhilanthus bicinctus (Mickel) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Journal of Chemical Ecology ◽

10.1007/bf01025883 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 227-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

C. A. McDaniel ◽

R. W. Howard ◽

K. M. O'Neill ◽

J. O. Schmidt

Keyword(s):

Mandibular Gland ◽

Mandibular Gland Secretions

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Chemistry of Mandibular Gland Secretions of Small Carpenter Bees (Ceratina Spp.)1

Annals of the Entomological Society of America ◽

10.1093/aesa/70.5.635 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 70 (5) ◽

pp. 635-636 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

J. W. Wheeler ◽

M. S. Blum ◽

H. V. Daly ◽

C. J. Kislow ◽

J. M. Brand

Keyword(s):

Mandibular Gland ◽

Carpenter Bees ◽

Mandibular Gland Secretions

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Comparative chemical analysis of army ant mandibular gland volatiles (Formicidae: Dorylinae)

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5319 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5319 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Adrian Brückner ◽

Philipp O. Hoenle ◽

Christoph von Beeren

Keyword(s):

Solid Phase ◽

Keystone Species ◽

Chemical Compounds ◽

Mandibular Gland ◽

Army Ants ◽

Army Ant ◽

Alarm Communication ◽

Gland Volatiles ◽

Precise Role ◽

Mandibular Gland Secretions

Army ants are keystone species in many tropical ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the chemical compounds involved in army ant communication. In the present study, we analyzed the volatile mandibular gland secretions—triggers of ant alarm responses—of six Neotropical army ant species of the genus Eciton (outgroup: Nomamyrmex esenbeckii). Using solid-phase microextraction, we identified 12 chemical compounds, primarily ketones with associated alcohols, one ester and skatole. Most compounds were shared among species, but their relative composition was significantly different. By comparing chemical distances of mandibular gland secretions to species divergence times, we showed that the secretions’ compositions are not strictly determined by phylogeny. By identifying chemical bouquets of seven army ant species, our study provides a valuable comparative resource for future studies aiming to unveil the chemicals’ precise role in army ant alarm communication.

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