Mate recognition pheromone

The multifaceted function of cuticular hydrocarbons necessitates further theoretical as well as empirical clarification. For example, their use as both fertility signals and nest-mate recognition pheromones may seem contradictory, since the first function requires within-nest idiosyncrasy, i.e., for discriminating fertile from sterile individuals, while the second function requires within-colony odor uniformity. The response threshold hypothesis (Le Conte and Hefetz, 2008) attempts to resolve this apparent conflict in function, as well as to provide a suitable framework for future experiments to test specific parts of the hypothesis. 

Fukui, M. and Takahashi, S. (1983). Studies on the mating behavior of the cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier) (Dictyoptera Blaberidae) III. Isolation and identification of intermale recognition pheromone. Applied Entomology and Zoology 18 351-356. 

Cobb M. and Jallon J. M. (1990) Pheromones, mate recognition and courtship stimulation in the Drosophila melanogaster species sub-group. Anim. Behav. 39, 1058-1069. 

Ginzel, M.D., Blomquist, G.J., Millar, J.G. and Hanks, L.M. (2003). Role of contact pheromones in mate recognition in Xylotrechus colonus. J. Chem. Ecol., 29, 533-545. 

Ginzel, M. D. and Hanks, L. M. (2003). Contact pheromones as mate recognition cues of four species of longhomed beetles (Coleoptera Cerambycidae). J. Insect Behav., 16, 181-187. 

Caskey JL, Watson GM, Bauer RT (2009) Studies on contact pheromones of the caridean shrimp Palaemonetes pugio II. The role of glucosamine in mate recognition. Invertebr Reprod Dev 53 105-116... 

In aquatic systems, solubility takes the place of volatility. Aquatic pheromones can be large molecules so long as they are soluble in water (though contact pheromones, such as those used in mate recognition in shrimp and copepods are presumably almost insoluble - see e.g., Bauer, Chap. 14 and Snell, Chap. 23). Many aquatic organisms use polypeptides as pheromones, for example the crab pumping pheromone (Rittschof and Cohen 2004). Pheromone specificity can be gained by... 

Species-specificity of chemicals and their role in reproductive isolation While there are general patterns in the chemical communication systems, there also seem to be species-specific differences. Some amphipod species appear unable to distinguish between mates and individuals of closely related species (Kolding 1986). Also in some isopod species, males pair with females from closely related species (e.g., Hargeby and Erlandsson 2006), which suggests that mate recognition via chemical cues is not (yet) fully developed. Possibly, selection on contact pheromones has been weak, because other life-history traits ensure reproductive isolation under natural conditions (e.g., size, habitat preference). 

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