Chemical communication in mating behaviour of the slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol as a critical component of the queen sex pheromone
Chemical communication in mating behaviour of the slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol as a critical component of the queen sex pheromone
复制标题
奴役蚁 Polyergus rufescens（膜翅目，蚁科）交配行为中的化学通讯：3-乙基-4-甲基戊醇作为蚁后性信息素的关键成分
作者：
C. Castracani;V. Tamarri;D. Grasso;F. Moli;G. Palla;J. Millar;W. Francke;A. Mori
翻译后摘要：这里报道的研究的目的是确定是否3-乙基-4-甲基戊醇，一个次要的，但至关重要的组成部分的性信息素的北美奴隶制造蚂蚁物种Polyergus breviceps，也是一个组成部分的性信息素的欧洲同类Polyergus rufescens。因此，本文对赤眼蜂处女蜂大颚腺内容物进行了提取和分析。提取物的主要成分是6-甲基水杨酸甲酯，3-乙基-4-甲基戊醇被鉴定为几个次要成分之一。进一步的分析表明，昆虫主要产生醇的（R）-对映体。雄性对6-甲基水杨酸甲酯与3-乙基-4-甲基戊醇的外消旋体或纯对映体的各种混合物的反应在田间行为生物测定中进行了测试。数据显示，6-甲基水杨酸甲酯和3-乙基-4-甲基戊醇的共混物具有强烈的协同作用，其中最大的活性比率偏向于第一组分。向二元混合物中添加其他次要组分既不增加也不减少雄性动物的反应。只有醇的（R）-对映体具有生物活性;其对映体不抑制吸引力。结果进行了讨论，在进化的信号，并与以前获得的结果进行比较，为异域物种Polyergus breviceps。
Abstract.The aim of the research reported here was to determine whether 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol, a minor but crucial component of the sex pheromone of the North American slave-making ant species Polyergus breviceps, was also a component of the sex pheromone of the European congener Polyergus rufescens. Thus, the contents of mandibular glands of P. rufescens virgin queen were extracted and analysed. The main component of the extracts was methyl 6-methylsalicylate and 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol was identified as one of several minor components. Further analyses showed that the insects produce mainly the (R)-enantiomer of the alcohol. Males’ responses to various blends of methyl 6-methylsalicylate with the racemate or the pure enantiomers of 3-ethyl-4- methylpentanol were tested in field behavioural bioassays. The data showed that blends of methyl 6- methylsalicylate and 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol were strongly synergistic, with the most active ratios being biased toward the first component. The addition of other minor components to the binary blend neither increased nor decreased responses by males. Only the (R)-enantiomer of the alcohol was biologically active; its antipode did not inhibit attraction. The results are discussed in terms of the evolution of signals, and are compared with the results previously obtained for the allopatric species Polyergus breviceps.