Trees Chemical signals

Mason, R. T. and Greene, M. J. (2001). Invading pest species and the threat to biodiversity pheromonal control of Guam brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis. In Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, vol. 9, eds. A. Marchlewska-Koj, J. J. Lepri, and D. Miiller-Schwarze, pp. 361-368. New York Kluwer Academic/Plenum. 

In conclusion, cloacal secretions have the following behavioral effects on brown tree snakes I) they act as a pheromone that inhibits male courtship behavior, and 2) when aged, they act as a chemical signal and/or chemical irritant that that elicits defensive behaviors from the snakes. Our results represent a significant part of only a small handful of studies that have empirically demonstrated behavioral effects of cloacal secretions, despite the attention they have historically received in the literature (Mason, 1992). The data also demonstrate the effects of volatile chemical signals on snake behavior the effects of non-volatile signals on snake behavior have been more commonly studied (Mason, 1992). 

Figure 2.4. Specific poiiinating and parasitic wasps ( non-pollinating fig wasps") on receptive figs of Ficus racemosa in india. Semiochemicals play a primordial role in the attraction of these species of wasps to their fig tree host. Predatory ants also use chemical signals to locate their prey on the figs (photo M. Proffit)...

Leavitt, S.W. and Long, A. 1991 Seasonal stable-carbon isotope variability in tree rings possible palaeoenvironmental signals. Chemical Geology (Isotope Geoscience Section) 87 59-70. 

Stralendorff, F. V. (1987). Partial chemical characterization of urinary signaling pheromone in tree shrews Tupaia belangeri). Journal of Chemical Ecology 13, 655-679. 

W Agosta. Bombardier Beetles and Fever Trees A Close-up Look at Chemical Warfare and Signals in Animals and Plants. Addison-Wesley, New York, 1995. 

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