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236 results for “pheromones”
A major locus controls a biologically active pheromone component in Heliconius melpomene
<p>Understanding the production, response, and genetics of signals used in mate choice can inform our understanding of the evolution of both intraspecific mate choice and reproductive isolation. Sex pheromones are important for courtship and mate choice in many insects, but we know relatively little of their role in butterflies. The butterfly <i>Heliconius</i> <i>melpomene</i> uses a complex blend of wing androconial compounds during courtship. Electroantennography in <i>H. melpomene </i>and its close relative <i>H. cydno</i> showed that responses to androconial extracts were not species-specific. Females of both species responded equally strongly to<i> </i>extracts of both species, suggesting conservation of peripheral nervous system elements across the two species. Individual blend components provoked little to no response, with the exception of octadecanal, a major component of the <i>H. melpomene </i>blend. Supplementing octadecanal on the wings of octadecanal-rich <i>H. melpomene </i>males led to an increase in the time until mating, demonstrating the bioactivity of octadecanal in <i>Heliconius</i>. Using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, we identified a single locus on chromosome 20 responsible for 41% of the parental species' difference in octadecanal production. This QTL does not overlap with any of the major wing color or mate choice loci, nor does it overlap with known regions of elevated or reduced <i>F</i><sub>ST</sub>. A set of 16 candidate fatty acid biosynthesis genes lies underneath the QTL. Pheromones in <i>Heliconius </i>carry information relevant for mate choice and are under simple genetic control, suggesting they could be important during speciation.</p>
Data from: Are pheromones key to unlocking cryptic lizard diversity?
Animals use mating traits to compete for, attract, and choose mates. Because mating traits influence mate choice, the divergence of mating traits between populations can result in reproductive isolation. This can occur without associated morphological divergence, producing reproductively isolated 'cryptic species' that are visually indistinguishable. Thus, identifying the mating traits in morphologically conservative groups is key to resolving diversity and speciation processes. Lizards contain many such groups, with phylogeographic studies often revealing highly divergent but morphologically cryptic lineages within species. Considering that cryptic lizard species can be sympatric but morphologically indistinguishable, we hypothesize that candidate species will exhibit divergent pheromones and that pheromones will have typically diverged more than morphology. To test this, we used gas chromatography to characterize pheromones (epidermal pore secretions) from 10 genetically divergent lineages of the Bynoe's gecko (Heteronotia binoei) species complex in northern Australia. Multivariate analyses of pheromone blends and morphology indicate that pheromones are lineage-specific and have diverged relatively more than morphology. Such specificity suggests that pheromones influence behavioral isolation in this morphologically conservative lizard radiation. These results suggest that pheromone data may unlock the tremendous 'cryptic' diversity currently being uncovered in many lizard groups.
Data from: Costs and constraints conspire to produce honest signalling: insights from an ant queen pheromone
Signal costs and evolutionary constraints have both been proposed as ultimate explanations for the ubiquity of honest signalling, but the interface between these two factors is unclear. Here, I propose a pluralistic interpretation, and use game theory to demonstrate that evolutionary constraints determine whether signals evolve to be costly or cheap. Specifically, when the costs or benefits of signalling are strongly influenced by the sender's quality, low-cost signals evolve. The model reaffirms that cheap and costly signals can both be honest, and predicts that expensive signals should have more positive allometric slopes than cheap ones. The new framework is applied to an experimental study of an ant queen pheromone that honestly signals fecundity. Juvenile hormone was found to have opposing, dose-dependent effects on pheromone production and fecundity and was fatal at high doses, indicating that endocrine-mediated trade-offs preclude dishonesty. Several lines of evidence suggest that the realised cost of pheromone production may be non-trivial, and the antagonistic effects of juvenile hormone indicate the presence of significant evolutionary constraints. I conclude that the honesty of queen pheromones and other signals is likely enforced by both the cost of dishonesty and a suite of evolutionary constraints.
Data from: The evolution of queen pheromones in the ant genus Lasius
Queen pheromones are among the most important chemical messages regulating insect societies yet they remain largely undiscovered, hindering research into interesting proximate and ultimate questions. Identifying queen pheromones in multiple species would give new insight into the selective pressures and evolutionary constraints acting on these ubiquitous signals. Here, we present experimental and phylogenetic evidence that 3-methylalkanes, hydrocarbons present on the queen's cuticle, are a queen pheromone throughout the ant genus Lasius. Phylogenetic analyses of the chemical profile imply that 3-methylalkanes evolve more slowly than other types of hydrocarbons, perhaps due to differential selection or evolutionary constraints. We argue that the sensory ecology of the worker response imposes strong stabilising selection on queen pheromones relative to other hydrocarbons. 3-methylalkanes are also strongly physiologically and genetically coupled with fecundity in at least one Lasius species, which may translate into evolutionary constraints. Our results highlight how honest signalling could minimise evolutionary conflict over reproduction, promoting the evolution and maintenance of eusociality.
Data from: A simple, cost-effective emitter for controlled release of fish pheromones: development, testing, and application to management of the invasive sea lamprey
Semiochemicals that elicit species-specific attraction or repulsion have proven useful in the management of terrestrial pests and hold considerable promise for control of nuisance aquatic species, particularly invasive fishes. Because aquatic ecosystems are typically large and open, use of a semiochemical to control a spatially dispersed invader will require the development of a cost-effective emitter that is easy to produce, environmentally benign, inexpensive, and controls the release of the semiochemical without altering its structure. We examined the release properties of five polymers, and chose polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the best alternative. In a series of laboratory and field experiments, we examined the response of the invasive sea lamprey to PEG, and to a partial sex pheromone emitted from PEG that has proven effective as a trap bait to capture migrating sea lamprey prior to spawning. Our findings confirm that the sea lamprey does not behaviorally respond to PEG, and that the attractant response to the pheromone component was conserved when emitted from PEG. Further, we deployed the pheromone-PEG emitters as trap bait during typical control operations in three Great Lakes tributaries, observing similar improvements in trap performance when compared to a previous study using mechanically pumped liquid pheromone. Finally, the polymer emitters tended to dissolve unevenly in high flow conditions. We demonstrate that housing the emitter stabilizes the dissolution rate at high water velocity. We conclude the performance characteristics of PEG emitters to achieve controlled-release of a semiochemical are sufficient to recommend its use in conservation and management activities related to native and invasive aquatic organisms.
(–)-Myrtenol and (–)-α-pinene: aggregation pheromone components of the cypress bark beetle Phloeosinus aubei
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Males perceive honest information from female released sex pheromone in a moth
<p>There is accumulating evidence that male insects advertise their quality to conspecific females through pheromones. However, most studies of female released sex pheromone assume information transfer regarding merely the species of the female and her mating status. We show that more and precise information is conveyed through the female sex pheromone, positioning it as an honest sexual trait. We demonstrate that females in bad physical conditions (small, starved or old) lay significantly fewer eggs than females in good conditions (large, fed or young). The ratio of the sex pheromone blend in gland extracts of female pink bollworm moths accurately describes the female phenotypic condition whereas the pheromone amount in the glands fails to provide an honest signal of quality. Moreover, males use the female released pheromone blend to choose their mates and approach females that signal higher reproductive potential. In addition, surrogating the female effect, using synthetic pheromone blend that represents that of higher quality females (0.6:0.4 ZZ:ZE) more males were attracted to this blend than to the blend representing the population mean (0.5:0.5 ZZ:ZE). Both, female advertisement for males and the male choosiness, suggest that pheromones have evolved as sexual traits under directional, sexual selection.</p>
Scores from S.invicta queen supergene pheromone discrimination assays
<p>Ants use chemical signals to communicate for various purposes related to colony function. Social organization in the red imported fire ant, <i>Solenopsis invicta</i>, is determined by the <i>Sb</i> supergene, with colonies of the monogyne (single-queen) form lacking the element and colonies of the polygyne (multiple-queen) form possessing it. Polygyne workers accept new reproductive queens in their nest, but only those carrying <i>Sb</i>; young winged queens lacking this genetic element are executed as they mature sexually in their natal nest or as they attempt to enter a foreign nest to initiate reproduction after mating and shedding their wings. It has been suggested that queen supergene genotype status is signaled to workers by unsaturated cuticular hydrocarbons, while queen reproductive status is signaled by piperidines (venom alkaloids). We used high-throughput behavioral assays to study worker acceptance of paper dummies dosed with fractions of extracts of polygyne queens, or blends of synthetic counterparts of queen cuticular compounds. We show that the queen supergene pheromone comprises a blend of monoene and diene unsaturated hydrocarbons. Our assays also reveal that unsaturated hydrocarbons elicit discrimination by polygyne workers only when associated with additional compounds that signal queen fertility. This synergistic effect was obtained with a polar fraction of queen extracts, but not by the piperidine alkaloids, suggesting that the chemical(s) indicating queen reproductive status are compounds more polar than cuticular hydrocarbons but are not the piperidine alkaloids. Our results advance understanding of the role of chemical signaling that is central to the regulation of social organization in an important invasive pest and model ant species.</p>
OFM pheromone autodetection paper - raw data
<p>Raw data for the pheromone autodetection paper. Alicia Perez-Aparicio PhD thesis. Electrophysiological recording from Grapholita molesta male and female antennae and olfactory receptor neurons</p>
The host-feeding choice of early-instar Mythimna separata larvae can be regulated by female-released sex pheromone
<p>Insect<strong> </strong>sex pheromones are important chemical signals in sexual communication, they are traditionally thought to be inactive to larvae. However, it was found that some lepidopteran larvae can be significantly attracted by sex pheromones of the same species in a food context. Here we reported that the host-feeding choice of early-instar <em>Mythimna separata</em> larvae can be effectively regulated by the sex pheromone component (<em>Z</em>)-11-hexadecenal (<em>Z</em>11-16: Ald). Further exploration revealed that two olfactory proteins, <em>M. separata</em> general odorant binding protein 2 (MsGOBP2) and olfactory receptor 3 (MsOR3), were molecular basis of the host-feeding choice regulation mediated by <em>Z</em>11-16: Ald. Silencing either <em>MsGOBP2</em> or <em>MsOR3 </em>led to a sharply reduced preference for <em>Z</em>11-16: Ald-spiked hosts. It is possible that the <em>Z</em>11-16: Ald-based preference of the <em>M. separata</em> larvae for host is governed by the interplay between MsGOBP2 and MsOR3. In the present research, the interactions between MsGOBP2 and <em>Z</em>11-16: Ald were also discussed using molecular dynamics-based approaches. Our research explored insight into the <em>Z</em>11-16: Ald-mediated host-feeding choice regulation of <em>M. separata</em> larvae, all the results would aid in developing olfaction-based methods for controlling pests in larval stage.</p>
L-DOPA functions as a plant pheromone for belowground anti-herbivory communication
<p>Dataset published in Letter for Ecology Letters</p> <p>While mechanisms of plant-plant communication for alerting neighbouring plants of an imminent insect herbivore attack have been described aboveground via the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we are yet to decipher the specific components of plant-plant signalling belowground. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, we isolated and identified the non-protein amino acid , released from roots of Acyrtosiphon pisum aphid-infested Vicia faba plants, as an active compound in triggering the production of VOCs released aboveground in uninfested plants. In behavioural assays, we show that after contact with healthy plants become highly attractive to the aphid parasitoid (Aphidius ervi), as if they were infested by aphids. We conclude that neurotransmitter precursor L-DOPA, originally described as a brain can also enhance immunity in plants.</p>
Data for "An insect pheromone primes tolerance of herbivory in goldenrod plants"
<p>Data for "An insect pheromone primes tolerance of herbivory in goldenrod plants"</p><p>Data include all raw data necessary for the analyses of the manuscript. These include data on the growth, flower production, rhizome production, and gall induction of goldenrod plants (<i>Solidago altissima</i>) after exposure to a priming cue gradient and a specialist herbivore that is the source of the priming cue. It also contains data on female herbivore oviposition preference.</p><p> </p><p>Description of the data and file structure</p><p>The data are divided into four sheets. The first contains data necessary for analyses presented in the main text. The second contains data for analyses presented in the supplement. The third presents data from a separate experiment presented in the supplement, and the fourth contains R code for the analyses performed.</p><p> </p><p>Sharing/Access information</p><p>These data are currently only available on Zenodo.</p>
Data from: Testing the limits of pheromone stigmergy in spatially constrained robotic swarms
Area coverage and collective exploration are key challenges for swarm robotics. Previous research in this field has drawn inspiration from ant colonies, with real, or more commonly virtual, pheromones deposited into a shared environment to coordinate behaviour through stigmergy. Repellent pheromones can facilitate rapid dispersal of robotic agents, yet this has been demonstrated only for relatively small swarm sizes (N<30). Here, we report findings from swarms of real robots (Kilobots) an order of magnitude larger (N>300), and from realistic simulation experiments up to N=400. We identify limitations to stigmergy in a spatially constrained environment – a free but bounded two-dimensional workspace – using repellent binary pheromone. At larger N a simple, stigmergic avoidance algorithm becomes first no better, then inferior to, the area coverage of non-interacting random walkers. Thus, with ever-increasing swarm sizes, the assumption of robustness and scalability for such approaches may need to be re-examined. Instead, subcellular biology, and diffusive processes, may prove a better source of inspiration at large N in spatially constrained or high agent density environments.
Data for: Sex pheromone signal and stability covary with fitness
<p>If sexual signals are costly, covariance between signal expression and fitness is expected. Signal-fitness covariance is important, because it can contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation in signals that are under natural or sexual selection. Chemical signals, such as female sex pheromones in moths, have traditionally been assumed to be species-recognition signals, but their relationship with fitness is unclear. Here we test whether chemical, conspecific mate finding signals covary with fitness in the moth <i>Heliothis subflexa</i>. Additionally, as moth signals are synthesized <i>de novo</i> every night, the maintenance of the signal can be costly. Therefore, we also hypothesized that fitness covaries with signal stability (i.e., lack of temporal intra-individual variation). We measured among- and within-individual variation in pheromone characteristics as well as fecundity, fertility, and life span in two independent groups that differed in the time in between two pheromone samples. In both groups, we found fitness to be correlated with pheromone amount, composition, and stability, supporting both our hypotheses. This study is the first to report a correlation between fitness and sex pheromone composition in moths, supporting evidence of condition-dependence and highlighting how signal-fitness covariance may contribute to heritable variation in chemical signals both among and within individuals.</p>
FIGURES 101–102, 104, 107. Pheromone glands. 101 in Review of generic limits of the tiger moth genera Virbia Walker and Holomelina Herrich-Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Arctiinae) and their biogeography
FIGURES 101–102, 104, 107. Pheromone glands. 101. Virbia (H.) aurantiaca, Pg = gland width thin; gland appearance membranous; branching before the tip of the anterior apophyses. 102. Virbia (H.) costata. Pg = gland width large; glands unbranched. 104. Virbia (H.) nigricans, dorsal view. Pg = pheromone gland, width extra large and branching after tip of anterior apophyses, PsPa = ovipositor opening with pseudopapillae anales. 107. Virbia inversia. Pg = pheromone glands, slightly sclerotized, 8t = eighth tergite, Pa = papillae anales.
Figure 2 in Studies in European ant-decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae): ant alarm pheromone as host finding cue in Pseudacteon brevicauda, a parasite of Myrmica rubra (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)
Figure 2. Percentage of flies showing flight activity as a reaction to synthetic 3-octanone, nonanone and 3-octanol. Water was used as a control (n = 30 each).
Figure 1 in Studies in European ant-decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae): ant alarm pheromone as host finding cue in Pseudacteon brevicauda, a parasite of Myrmica rubra (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)
Figure 1. Percentage of alerted flies from the total number tested. Control (C), intact worker ants (A), crushed gaster and thorax (G + T), crushed head (H) and two crushed mandibular glands (MG).
Data from: A simple, cost-effective emitter for controlled release of fish pheromones: development, testing, and application to management of the invasive sea lamprey
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Data from: Costs and constraints conspire to produce honest signalling: insights from an ant queen pheromone
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Hungry for the queen: honeybee nutritional environment affects worker pheromone response in a life stage‐dependent manner
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