Pheromones evolution

Newcomb, R.D. and Gleeson, D.M. (1998). Pheromone evolution within the genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) inferred from a phylogeny based on cytochrome oxidase I gene variation. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 26 473 184. 

We can surely embrace the future directions given by Symonds and Elgar (2007) in their review of the evolution of pheromone diversity. In particular initiating phylogenetic comparative studies of pheromone evolution should be a priority in order to remedy our poor understanding of it. 

Our knowledge of vertebrate pheromonal communication systems is in its infancy. Certainly, many significant and fascinating questions about the basic nature of the evolutionary and biochemical mechanisms that underlie pheromone evolution and function await answers. 

Symonds MRE, Elgar MA (2004) The mode of pheromone evolution evidence from bark beetles. Proc Biol Sci 271 839-846... 

ASPECTS OF FISH BIOLOGY INFLUENCING PHEROMONE EVOLUTION... 

Arnold, S.J. Houck, L.D. 1982. Courtship pheromones Evolution by natural and sexual selection. In Biochemi-cal Aspects of Evolutionary Biology (Ed. by M. Nitecki), pp. 173—211. Chicago University of Chicago Press. 

Meanwhile, these data will come from studies that are significant in their own right, studies that concentrate on courtship pheromone evolution at the population level. Several questions pertinent to this level of analysis are ... 

An optimal group in which to examine trail pheromone evolution is the garter snakes of the Thamnophis radix complex. In the United States, this complex consists of six recently evolved but distinct species radix,... 

Identification of 9,12-tetradecadienyl (9,12-14) compounds began with studies on two cosmopolitan pests of stored products, the almond moth (Cadra cmtella, Pyralidae Phycitinae) and the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella, Phycitinae) [38,39]. This 9,12-14 structure has been reported from another 13 Pyralidae (only in Phycitinae) species and 11 Noctuidae species (9 species in Amphipyrinae, and 1 species each in Hadeninae and Plusiinae). These two families, however, are not closely related. Most likely, the females classified in distant groups happened to produce the same chemical in the train of their perpetual evolution of modifying the original systems for pheromone biosynthesis. The 5,7-dodecadienyl (5,7-12) structure is a carbon skeleton common... 

Domes, K. M., Adkins Regan, E. and Halpem, B. P. (1997) Sensitivity and behavioural responses to the pheromone androstenone are not mediated by the vomeronasal organ in domestic pigs. Brain Behav. Evolut. 49, 53-62. 

The delivery of male courtship pheromones is widespread among plethodontid salamanders (Houck and Arnold 2003), and other courtship pheromones are being discovered for this group (Houck, Palmer, Watts, Arnold, Feldhoff and Feldhoff 2007). The mode by which these pheromones are transferred to the female apparently has been modified from delivery via diffusion into the circulatory system to delivery that directly stimulates vomeronasal receptors (Fig. 20.1 Houck and Sever 1994 Watts et al. 2004 Palmer et al. 2005 Palmer et al. 2007). The behavior patterns and morphologies associated with these two delivery modes often remain static for millions of years. In contrast, evolution at the level of pheromone signals is apparently an incessant process that continuously alters the protein sequence and composition of pheromones both within and among species (Watts et al. 2004 Palmer et al. 2005 Palmer et al. 2007). 

Houck, L.D. 1986. The evolution of salamander courtship pheromones. In D. Duvall, D. MiHler-Schwarze and R.M. Silverstein. (Eds.) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. IV Ecology, Evolution, and Comparative Biology. Plenum Press, New York. Pp. 173-190. 

Palmer, C., Watts, R.A., Houck, L.D., Picard, A.L. and Arnold, SJ. (2007) Evolutionary replacement of pheromone components in a salamander signaling complex more evidence for phenotypic-molecular decoupling. Evolution 61, 202-215. 

Thiessen D. D. (1977) Thermoenergetics and the evolution of pheromone communication. Prog. Psychobiol. Physiol. Psych. 7, 91-191. 

All of the long-range kairomones attractive to parasitoids that have been identified thus far are sex pheromones of the hosts. However, we are probably aware of only a small fraction of the predators and parasites that are eavesdropping on the pheromonal communications of their prey or hosts. While the evolution of individuals that are as inconspicuous as possible to their enemies is favored, it is impossible for a species to completely avoid emitting chemical signals. Thus, pheromones that are important to reproduction or other vital functions, and are good indicators of the presence of a species, are available for predators or parasitoids to exploit. 

In contrast to pheromones that involve single complex compounds, many moth species have been found to utilize a specific blend of relatively simple fatty acid-derived compounds. It appears that the evolution of a unique enzyme, A1 desaturase, used in combination with 2-carbon chain-shortening reactions (Figure 3) has allowed moth species to produce a variety of unsaturated acetates, aldehydes, and alcohols that can be combined in almost unlimited blends to impart species specificity. For example, biosynthetic precursors for the six-component pheromone blend of acetates for the cabbage looper moth (12) (Figure 2) can be determined easily from the cascade of acyl intermediates produced by the A11-desaturase and chain-shortening reactions (Figure 3). 

The evolution of chemical communication was probably influenced by such additional factors as adsorption of aerial pheromones to vegetation, or waterborne pheromones to suspended clay. The influence of these environmental features has very likely selected for both the choice of chemical constituents of the signals and the appropriate signal-emission behaviors (Gleeson, 1978). 

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