The Experts below are selected from a list of 1035 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Günther Raspotnig - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The Scent Gland chemistry of neogoveid cyphophthalmids (Opiliones): an unusual methyljuglone from Metasiro savannahensis
Chemoecology, 2019Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Felix Anderl, Ronald M. ClouseAbstract:While the chemistries of Scent Gland secretions from a few selected species of three families of Cyphophthalmi, namely Sironidae, Pettalidae, and Stylocellidae, have already been reported and found to consist of complex blends of naphthoquinones and methyl ketones, nothing is known about the other families. We here report on the secretions of Metasiro savannahensis Clouse and Wheeler (Zootaxa 3814:177–201, 2014), a first representative of the family Neogoveidae. The secretions from males, females and one juvenile were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Twenty-five compounds were identified, all of which belong to the chemical classes of naphthoquinones and methyl ketones, confirming a hypothesized chemical uniformity of cyphophthalmid exudates. One major naphthoquinone compound, however, was new for cyphophthalmids and for arthropod exocrine secretions in general: a methyljuglone isomer, 6-methyljuglone (= 6-MJ; iupac name: 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), amounted for about 20% of the secretion and was eventually identified by synthesis. Hydroxy-naphthoquinones and their derivatives are known to possess a variety of antibiotic effects, probably enhancing the antimicrobial/antifungal potential of the Metasiro -secretion. Currently, without further data on neogoveids, the compound represents a chemical autapomorphy of M. savannahensis , and—just as the strange chloro-naphthoquinones of Sironidae and Pettalidae—adds to the repertoire of unusual naphthoquinone compounds across the Cyphophthalmi.
-
Methyl-ketones in the Scent Glands of Opiliones: a chemical trait of cyphophthalmi retrieved in the dyspnoan Nemastoma triste
Chemoecology, 2018Co-Authors: Miriam Schaider, Hans-jörg Leis, Tone Novak, Christian Komposch, Günther RaspotnigAbstract:The homologous and phylogenetically old Scent Glands of harvestmen—also called defensive or repugnatorial Glands—represent an ideal system for a model reconstruction of the evolutionary history of exocrine secretion chemistry (“phylogenetic chemosystematics”). While the secretions of Laniatores (mainly phenols, benzoquinones), Cyphophthalmi (naphthoquinones, chloro-naphthoquinones, methyl-ketones) and some Eupnoi (naphthoquinones, ethyl-ketones) are fairly well studied, one open question refers to the still largely enigmatic Scent Gland chemistry of representatives of the suborder Dyspnoi and the relation of dyspnoan chemistry to the remaining suborders. We here report on the secretion of a nemastomatid Dyspnoi, Nemastoma triste, which is composed of straight-chain methyl-ketones (heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one, 6-tridecen-2-one, 8-tridecen-2-one), methyl-branched methyl-ketones (5-methyl-heptan-2-one, 6-methyl-nonan-2-one), naphthoquinones (1,4-naphthoquinone, 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and chloro-naphthoquinones (4-chloro-1,2-naphthoquinone, 4-chloro-6-methyl-1,2-naphthoquinone). Chemically, the secretions of N. triste are remarkably reminiScent of those found in Cyphophthalmi. While naphthoquinones are widely distributed across the Scent Gland secretions of harvestmen (all suborders except Laniatores), methyl-ketones and chloro-naphthoquinones arise as linking elements between cyphophthalmid and dyspnoan Scent Gland chemistry.
-
A Model for Phylogenetic Chemosystematics: Evolutionary History of Quinones in the Scent Gland Secretions of Harvestmen
Frontiers Media S.A., 2017Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Petra Föttinger, Axel SchönhoferAbstract:By the possession of unique exocrine Scent Glands, Opiliones (harvestmen) arise as a perfect model for studies on the evolutionary history of secretion chemistry. Among Gland compounds of harvestmen, it is the quinones that represent recurring elements across the secretions of all suborders. Reliable data on quinone-distribution, however, is only known for Laniatores (benzoquinones) and Cyphophthalmi (naphthoquinones). We here unraveled the quinone-distribution across Scent Gland secretions of the third large harvestman suborder, the Palpatores (= Eu- and Dyspnoi): Naphthoquinones were found in phalangiid Eupnoi across all subfamilies as well as in nemastomatid (and at least one ischyropsalid) Dyspnoi. Benzoquinones (1,4-benzoquinone) were restricted to a small entity within Eupnoi, namely platybunine Phalangiidae, probably misplaced Gyantinae (currently Sclerosomatidae) and Amilenus (incertae sedis). Our findings, combined with data from Laniatores and Cyphophthalmi, allow evaluation of a comprehensive chemosystematic model for Opiliones for the first time. Evolutionary scenarios imply naphthoquinones as Scent Gland compounds of common ancestry, having evolved in an early harvestman ancestor and present in cyphophthalmids and palpatoreans, but lost in laniatoreans. Benzoquinones evolved later and independently at least twice: once in the secretions of gonyleptoid Laniatores (alkylated benzoquinones), and a second time in a lineage of phalangiid Eupnoi (1,4-benzoquinone)
-
Benzoquinones from Scent Glands of phalangiid harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Eupnoi): a lesson from Rilaena triangularis
Chemoecology, 2015Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Verena Leutgeb, Petra Föttinger, Christian KomposchAbstract:In case of disturbance, the phalangiine harvestman Rilaena triangularis (Eupnoi, Phalangiidae) emits a directed jet from large prosomal Scent (“defensive”) Glands. The pungent-smelling secretion was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and found to contain mainly 1,4-benzoquinone along with 1,4-naphthoquinone and caprylic (=octanoic) acid. While various alkylated benzoquinones are characteristic for the Scent Gland secretions of many grassatorean Laniatores, this is the first incidence of benzoquinone-based chemical defense in palpatorean harvestmen.
-
chemosystematics in the opiliones arachnida a comment on the evolutionary history of alkylphenols and benzoquinones in the Scent Gland secretions of laniatores
Cladistics, 2015Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Axel Schönhofer, Michaela Bodner, Sylvia Schaffer, Stephan Koblmuller, Ivo KaramanAbstract:Large prosomal Scent Glands constitute a major synapomorphic character of the arachnid order Opiliones. These Glands produce a variety of chemicals very specific to opilionid taxa of different taxonomic levels, and thus represent a model system to investigate the evolutionary traits in exocrine secretion chemistry across a phylogenetically old group of animals. The chemically best-studied opilionid group is certainly Laniatores, and currently available chemical data allow first hypotheses linking the phylogeny of this group to the evolution of major chemical classes of secretion chemistry. Such hypotheses are essential to decide upon a best-fitting explanation of the distribution of Scent-Gland secretion compounds across extant laniatorean taxa, and hence represent a key toward a well-founded opilionid chemosystematics.
Christian Komposch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Methyl-ketones in the Scent Glands of Opiliones: a chemical trait of cyphophthalmi retrieved in the dyspnoan Nemastoma triste
Chemoecology, 2018Co-Authors: Miriam Schaider, Hans-jörg Leis, Tone Novak, Christian Komposch, Günther RaspotnigAbstract:The homologous and phylogenetically old Scent Glands of harvestmen—also called defensive or repugnatorial Glands—represent an ideal system for a model reconstruction of the evolutionary history of exocrine secretion chemistry (“phylogenetic chemosystematics”). While the secretions of Laniatores (mainly phenols, benzoquinones), Cyphophthalmi (naphthoquinones, chloro-naphthoquinones, methyl-ketones) and some Eupnoi (naphthoquinones, ethyl-ketones) are fairly well studied, one open question refers to the still largely enigmatic Scent Gland chemistry of representatives of the suborder Dyspnoi and the relation of dyspnoan chemistry to the remaining suborders. We here report on the secretion of a nemastomatid Dyspnoi, Nemastoma triste, which is composed of straight-chain methyl-ketones (heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one, 6-tridecen-2-one, 8-tridecen-2-one), methyl-branched methyl-ketones (5-methyl-heptan-2-one, 6-methyl-nonan-2-one), naphthoquinones (1,4-naphthoquinone, 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and chloro-naphthoquinones (4-chloro-1,2-naphthoquinone, 4-chloro-6-methyl-1,2-naphthoquinone). Chemically, the secretions of N. triste are remarkably reminiScent of those found in Cyphophthalmi. While naphthoquinones are widely distributed across the Scent Gland secretions of harvestmen (all suborders except Laniatores), methyl-ketones and chloro-naphthoquinones arise as linking elements between cyphophthalmid and dyspnoan Scent Gland chemistry.
-
Benzoquinones from Scent Glands of phalangiid harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Eupnoi): a lesson from Rilaena triangularis
Chemoecology, 2015Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Verena Leutgeb, Petra Föttinger, Christian KomposchAbstract:In case of disturbance, the phalangiine harvestman Rilaena triangularis (Eupnoi, Phalangiidae) emits a directed jet from large prosomal Scent (“defensive”) Glands. The pungent-smelling secretion was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and found to contain mainly 1,4-benzoquinone along with 1,4-naphthoquinone and caprylic (=octanoic) acid. While various alkylated benzoquinones are characteristic for the Scent Gland secretions of many grassatorean Laniatores, this is the first incidence of benzoquinone-based chemical defense in palpatorean harvestmen.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen
2013Co-Authors: Opiliones Laniatores Travunioidea, Miriam Schaider, Ivo Karaman, Günther Raspotnig, Christian Komposch, Petra FöttingerAbstract:# The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97 % of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum, whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense. In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum, and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense. By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor, however, lo
-
functional anatomy of Scent Glands in paranemastoma quadripunctatum opiliones dyspnoi nemastomatidae
Journal of Morphology, 2011Co-Authors: Miriam Schaider, Edith Stabentheiner, Christian Komposch, Günther RaspotnigAbstract:The morphological organization and functional anatomy of prosomal defensive (Scent) Glands in Paranemastoma quadripunctatum, a representative of the dyspnoid harvestmen, was investigated by means of histological semithin sections, software-based 3D-reconstruction and scanning electron microscopy. Scent Glands comprise large, hollow sacs on either side of the prosoma, each of these opening to the outside via one orifice (ozopore) immediately above coxa I. In contrast to the situation known from laniatorean, cyphophthalmid and some eupnoid Opiliones, ozopores are not exposed but hidden in a depression (atrium), formed by a dorsal integumental fold of the carapace and the dorsal parts of coxae I. Glandular sacs are connected to ozopores via a short duct which is equipped with a specific closing mechanism in its distal part: A layer of modified epidermal cells forms a kind of pad-like tissue, surrounding the duct like a valve. Several muscles attached to the anterior parts of the Glandular reservoir and to the epithelial pad may be associated with ozopore-opening. The actual mechanism of secretion discharge seems to be highly unusual and may be hypothesized on the basis of corroborating data from behavioral observations, Scent Gland anatomy and secretion chemistry as follows: Enteric fluid is considered to be directed towards the ozopores via cuticular grooves in the surface of the coxapophyses of legs I. Then, the fluid is sucked into the anterior part of the Scent Gland reservoirs by the action of dorsal dilator muscles that widen the reservoir and produce a short-term negative pressure. After dilution/solution of the naphthoquinone-rich Scent Gland contents, a secretion-loaded fluid is thought to be discharged with the help of transversal compressor muscles. This is the first detailed study on the functional anatomy of Scent Glands and the mechanisms of secretion discharge in the Dyspnoi. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen (Opiliones, Laniatores, Travunioidea)
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2011Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Christian Komposch, Petra Föttinger, Ivo KaramanAbstract:The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97% of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum , whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense . In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum , and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense . By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor , however, low amounts of alkyl pyrazines (dimethyl-isobutyl- and dimethyl-isopentylpyrazines) were detected. Nitrogen-containing components previously were found in Sclerobunus robustus (an American travunioid harvestman), so Scent Gland-derived alkaloids may be widespread or even common in the Travunioidea. Alkaloids have not been reported for other opilionid Scent Gland secretions outside the Travunioidea, and we hypothesize that they may be the phylogenetically ancestral allomones in the Laniatores, having been reduced and replaced by a phenol- and benzoquinone-rich chemistry in the more derived grassatorean taxa.
Ivo Karaman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
chemosystematics in the opiliones arachnida a comment on the evolutionary history of alkylphenols and benzoquinones in the Scent Gland secretions of laniatores
Cladistics, 2015Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Axel Schönhofer, Michaela Bodner, Sylvia Schaffer, Stephan Koblmuller, Ivo KaramanAbstract:Large prosomal Scent Glands constitute a major synapomorphic character of the arachnid order Opiliones. These Glands produce a variety of chemicals very specific to opilionid taxa of different taxonomic levels, and thus represent a model system to investigate the evolutionary traits in exocrine secretion chemistry across a phylogenetically old group of animals. The chemically best-studied opilionid group is certainly Laniatores, and currently available chemical data allow first hypotheses linking the phylogeny of this group to the evolution of major chemical classes of secretion chemistry. Such hypotheses are essential to decide upon a best-fitting explanation of the distribution of Scent-Gland secretion compounds across extant laniatorean taxa, and hence represent a key toward a well-founded opilionid chemosystematics.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen
2013Co-Authors: Opiliones Laniatores Travunioidea, Miriam Schaider, Ivo Karaman, Günther Raspotnig, Christian Komposch, Petra FöttingerAbstract:# The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97 % of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum, whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense. In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum, and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense. By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor, however, lo
-
high conservatism in the composition of Scent Gland secretions in cyphophthalmid harvestmen evidence from pettalidae
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2012Co-Authors: Julia Schwab, Günther Raspotnig, Ivo KaramanAbstract:The Scent Gland secretion of Austropurcellia forsteri was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, providing the first description of the secretion chemistry in the cyphophthalmid family Pettalidae. The secretion contained a total of 21 compounds: About 60% of the whole secretion consisted of a series of saturated, mono-unsaturated and doubly unsaturated methylketones, from C11 to C15, with a cluster of saturated and mono-unsaturated C13-methylketones dominating. A second fraction included several naphthoquinones such as 1,4-naphthoquinone (ca. 20% of secretion), 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (ca. 17%), and minor amounts of chloronaphthoquinones (ca. 2%). When compared with Scent Gland compositions of other representatives of cyphophthalmids (e.g. from families Sironidae and Stylocellidae), a highly conservative chemistry of cyphophthalmid secretions is apparent, based on a restricted number of methylketones and naphthoquinones.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen (Opiliones, Laniatores, Travunioidea)
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2011Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Christian Komposch, Petra Föttinger, Ivo KaramanAbstract:The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97% of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum , whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense . In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum , and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense . By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor , however, low amounts of alkyl pyrazines (dimethyl-isobutyl- and dimethyl-isopentylpyrazines) were detected. Nitrogen-containing components previously were found in Sclerobunus robustus (an American travunioid harvestman), so Scent Gland-derived alkaloids may be widespread or even common in the Travunioidea. Alkaloids have not been reported for other opilionid Scent Gland secretions outside the Travunioidea, and we hypothesize that they may be the phylogenetically ancestral allomones in the Laniatores, having been reduced and replaced by a phenol- and benzoquinone-rich chemistry in the more derived grassatorean taxa.
Qinghe Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Antennal and Behavioral Responses of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Heteroptera: Miridae) to Metathoracic Scent Gland Compounds
Journal of Entomological Science, 2007Co-Authors: Qinghe Zhang, Kamlesh R. Chauhan, Aijun Zhang, Gordon L. Snodgrass, Joseph C. Dickens, J R AldrichAbstract:Hexyl and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrates and (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal are major components of the metathoracic Scent Gland (MSG) secretion and aeration samples of many plant bugs (Miridae), including the tarni...
-
attraction of scavenging chloropid and milichiid flies diptera to metathoracic Scent Gland compounds of plant bugs heteroptera miridae
Environmental Entomology, 2004Co-Authors: Qinghe Zhang, J R AldrichAbstract:Hexyl butyrate and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate, common metathoracic Scent Gland compounds of plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae), attracted large numbers of female chloropid [Olcella trigramma (Loew), O. cinerea, Conioscinella sp.] and milichiid (Leptometopa latipes Meigen) flies. Blends of these two butyrates attracted significantly more chloropids than did the compounds individually. The optimal synergistic ratios for O. trigramma attraction ranged from 1:1-9:1 hexyl butyrate to hexenyl butyrate. These values are similar to natural ratios of the compounds in the Scent Gland secretion from tarnished plant bugs, Lygus lineolaris, and other mirids. Antennae of female O. trigramma gave strong electrophysiological responses to (E)-2-hexenyl and hexyl butyrates, whereas electroantennogram responses to butyl butyrate and pentyl butyrate were insignificant. (E)-2-octenyl acetate, one of the major sex pheromone components of mirids in the genus Phytocoris, was strongly attractive to the milichiid, L. latipes, and another pheromone component of Phytocoris bugs, hexyl acetate, was inactive alone, yet synergized the attraction of the milichiid and three chloropid species to (E)-2-octenyl acetate. Traps baited with (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate, a volatile component of various heteropterans, were significantly attractive to both O. cinerea and L. latipes, whereas addition of γ-caprolactone and green leaf alcohols significantly reduced the numbers of both fly species caught. Our results suggest that females of these chloropid and milichiid flies use volatile defensive and pheromonal compounds from plant bugs as kairomones to find freshly injured or dead bugs on which to feed. The sex-specific attraction might indicate that females of these flies need a protein-rich meal for maximum fecundity, as do anautogenous mosquitoes.
-
male produced anti sex pheromone in a plant bug
Naturwissenschaften, 2003Co-Authors: Qinghe Zhang, J R AldrichAbstract:In plant bugs (Miridae), females produce sex pheromones in the metathoracic Scent Gland, which in most other true bugs (Heteroptera) is responsible for chemical defense. The possibility that the metathoracic Gland secretion of male plant bugs plays a role other than defense has been largely overlooked. Here we show that in a pine-inhabiting mirid, Phytocoris difficilis Knight, hexyl butyrate and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate are abundantly produced only in males; we demonstrate that these metathoracic Gland compounds elicit strong antennal responses in conspecific males, and that these butyrates totally interrupt attraction of males to the female-produced sex pheromone. Our results suggest that in at least some plant bugs the male metathoracic Scent Gland esters have a natural communicative function as anti-sex pheromones, probably to interrupt further mating attempts by other males.
Miriam Schaider - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Methyl-ketones in the Scent Glands of Opiliones: a chemical trait of cyphophthalmi retrieved in the dyspnoan Nemastoma triste
Chemoecology, 2018Co-Authors: Miriam Schaider, Hans-jörg Leis, Tone Novak, Christian Komposch, Günther RaspotnigAbstract:The homologous and phylogenetically old Scent Glands of harvestmen—also called defensive or repugnatorial Glands—represent an ideal system for a model reconstruction of the evolutionary history of exocrine secretion chemistry (“phylogenetic chemosystematics”). While the secretions of Laniatores (mainly phenols, benzoquinones), Cyphophthalmi (naphthoquinones, chloro-naphthoquinones, methyl-ketones) and some Eupnoi (naphthoquinones, ethyl-ketones) are fairly well studied, one open question refers to the still largely enigmatic Scent Gland chemistry of representatives of the suborder Dyspnoi and the relation of dyspnoan chemistry to the remaining suborders. We here report on the secretion of a nemastomatid Dyspnoi, Nemastoma triste, which is composed of straight-chain methyl-ketones (heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one, 6-tridecen-2-one, 8-tridecen-2-one), methyl-branched methyl-ketones (5-methyl-heptan-2-one, 6-methyl-nonan-2-one), naphthoquinones (1,4-naphthoquinone, 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and chloro-naphthoquinones (4-chloro-1,2-naphthoquinone, 4-chloro-6-methyl-1,2-naphthoquinone). Chemically, the secretions of N. triste are remarkably reminiScent of those found in Cyphophthalmi. While naphthoquinones are widely distributed across the Scent Gland secretions of harvestmen (all suborders except Laniatores), methyl-ketones and chloro-naphthoquinones arise as linking elements between cyphophthalmid and dyspnoan Scent Gland chemistry.
-
Benzoquinones from Scent Glands of phalangiid harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Eupnoi): a lesson from Rilaena triangularis
Chemoecology, 2015Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Verena Leutgeb, Petra Föttinger, Christian KomposchAbstract:In case of disturbance, the phalangiine harvestman Rilaena triangularis (Eupnoi, Phalangiidae) emits a directed jet from large prosomal Scent (“defensive”) Glands. The pungent-smelling secretion was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and found to contain mainly 1,4-benzoquinone along with 1,4-naphthoquinone and caprylic (=octanoic) acid. While various alkylated benzoquinones are characteristic for the Scent Gland secretions of many grassatorean Laniatores, this is the first incidence of benzoquinone-based chemical defense in palpatorean harvestmen.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen
2013Co-Authors: Opiliones Laniatores Travunioidea, Miriam Schaider, Ivo Karaman, Günther Raspotnig, Christian Komposch, Petra FöttingerAbstract:# The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97 % of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum, whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense. In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum, and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense. By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor, however, lo
-
functional anatomy of Scent Glands in paranemastoma quadripunctatum opiliones dyspnoi nemastomatidae
Journal of Morphology, 2011Co-Authors: Miriam Schaider, Edith Stabentheiner, Christian Komposch, Günther RaspotnigAbstract:The morphological organization and functional anatomy of prosomal defensive (Scent) Glands in Paranemastoma quadripunctatum, a representative of the dyspnoid harvestmen, was investigated by means of histological semithin sections, software-based 3D-reconstruction and scanning electron microscopy. Scent Glands comprise large, hollow sacs on either side of the prosoma, each of these opening to the outside via one orifice (ozopore) immediately above coxa I. In contrast to the situation known from laniatorean, cyphophthalmid and some eupnoid Opiliones, ozopores are not exposed but hidden in a depression (atrium), formed by a dorsal integumental fold of the carapace and the dorsal parts of coxae I. Glandular sacs are connected to ozopores via a short duct which is equipped with a specific closing mechanism in its distal part: A layer of modified epidermal cells forms a kind of pad-like tissue, surrounding the duct like a valve. Several muscles attached to the anterior parts of the Glandular reservoir and to the epithelial pad may be associated with ozopore-opening. The actual mechanism of secretion discharge seems to be highly unusual and may be hypothesized on the basis of corroborating data from behavioral observations, Scent Gland anatomy and secretion chemistry as follows: Enteric fluid is considered to be directed towards the ozopores via cuticular grooves in the surface of the coxapophyses of legs I. Then, the fluid is sucked into the anterior part of the Scent Gland reservoirs by the action of dorsal dilator muscles that widen the reservoir and produce a short-term negative pressure. After dilution/solution of the naphthoquinone-rich Scent Gland contents, a secretion-loaded fluid is thought to be discharged with the help of transversal compressor muscles. This is the first detailed study on the functional anatomy of Scent Glands and the mechanisms of secretion discharge in the Dyspnoi. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
-
Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in the Scent Gland Secretions of European Cladonychiid Harvestmen (Opiliones, Laniatores, Travunioidea)
Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2011Co-Authors: Günther Raspotnig, Miriam Schaider, Christian Komposch, Petra Föttinger, Ivo KaramanAbstract:The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal Scent Glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97% of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum , whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense . In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum , and anabasine together with 2,3′-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense . By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor , however, low amounts of alkyl pyrazines (dimethyl-isobutyl- and dimethyl-isopentylpyrazines) were detected. Nitrogen-containing components previously were found in Sclerobunus robustus (an American travunioid harvestman), so Scent Gland-derived alkaloids may be widespread or even common in the Travunioidea. Alkaloids have not been reported for other opilionid Scent Gland secretions outside the Travunioidea, and we hypothesize that they may be the phylogenetically ancestral allomones in the Laniatores, having been reduced and replaced by a phenol- and benzoquinone-rich chemistry in the more derived grassatorean taxa.
