Volatile secretions

Stink bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) for example are well known for the odorous volatile secretion they emit from their metathoracic glands when molested [175]. 

Katzav-Gozansky T., Soroker V., Ionescu A., Robinson G. E. and Hefetz A. (2001b) Task-related chemical analysis of labial gland volatile secretion in worker honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica). J. Chem. Ecol. 27, 919-926. 

Katsurada, M. and Mori, K. 1984. Pheromone synthesis. LXIV. Synthesis of the enantiomers of 2-methyl-l,7-dioxaspiro[5.6]dodecane, a component of the volatile secretion from the mandibular glands of Andrena haemorrhoa F. Liebig Annals of Chemistry, 1 157-61. 

Volatile secretions emanating from the vaginal and prepuce of mammals are of microbial origin 191). That microorganisms are involved in the production of the wolfs anal sac secretion was deduced on treating the anal sac with antibiotics 194). 

Tengo, J., I. Groth, G. Bergstrom, W. Schroder, S. Krohn, and W. Francke Volatile Secretions in Three Species of Dufourea (Hymenoptera Halictidae) Bees Chemical Composition and Phylogeny. Z. Naturforsch. 40 C, 657-660 (1985). 

The volatile secretions of ants have continued to receive much attention. Workers of the primitive ponerine ant Rhytidoponei a metallica contain, among other compounds, mellein (5), and their... 

The Afncan dwarf crocodile secretes a volatile substance believed to be a sex pheromone It IS a mixture of two stereoisomers one of which is shown... 

Enflurane (Ethrane) is a volatile liquid anesthetic that is delivered by inhalation. Induction and recovery from anesthesia are rapid. Muscle relaxation for abdominal surgery is adequate, but greater relaxation may be necessary and may require the use of a skeletal muscle relaxant. Enflurane may produce mild stimulation of respiratory and bronchial secretions when used alone Hypotension may occur when anesthesia deepens. 

Halothane (Fluothane) is a volatile liquid given by inhalation for induction and maintenance of anesthesia Induction and recovery from anesthesia are rapid, and the depth of anesthesia can be rapidly altered. Halothane does not irritate the respiratory tract, and an increase in tracheobronchial secretions usually does not occur. Halothane produces moderate muscle relaxation, but skeletal muscle relaxants may be used in certain types of surgeries. This anesthetic may be given with a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. 

Organic compounds released from plant roots have been categorized according to (a) their chemical properties, such as stability (e.g., hydrolysis and oxidation), volatility, molecular weight, solubility in water, etc. (Chap. 2) (b) the modality of their release (exudates, secreted, or lysates) (c) the way of utilization... 

Amongst the secretions of specialised exocrine complexes, the ancillary products which act as sticky compounds are large, often proteinaceous, molecules. Their primary, secondary and tertiary structures being inherently complex are now seen as ideal informational vehicles — alone or in combination with volatile molecules. Much recent work (Sec. 3.2, below) has identified them as the key components involved in close range transmission, and in intra-nasal peri-receptor events. Proteins are semiochemically implicated when their selective removal or presentation alters responsiveness (Belcher et al., 1990 Mucignat-Caretta et al, 1995). 

Although anosmias to these compounds occur at similar levels, some communicative value may arise from the persistence of signal emissions which are not enantiomerically pure (Carman, 1993 Wysocki et al., 1999). In secreted mixtures, the alternate versions of such compounds are produced in a constant ratio since they have identical volatility and hence provide stable informational content to the receiver. Support for this idea comes from the results of the NMR mapping of the BT binding site within the MUP1 carrier (Zidek et al., 1999). Here the protein-ligand complex does exist in the expected ratio, and for both enantiomers, although the orientation of the bound thiazole was interpreted as opposite to that indicated by previous X-ray analyses. 

The prophecy on semiochemical systematics in the headline quotation at the start of this chapter remains just that — an intriguing speculation. Some single-component chemosignals do turn up as apparently the main active compound in a complex secretion. In male gerbils (Meriones) one volatile, phenylacetic acid, appears to represent the dominant male state (Thiesen, 1974). Individuality must be added by further components — dietary or variable sebum constituents in this case. Indeed, amongst mammals and some reptiles, complex mixtures seem to be the norm very few taxonomically relevant examples have emerged. 

Digby, Kenelm. Choice collection of rare chymical secrets and experiments in philosophy as also rare and unheard-of medicines, menstruums, and alkahests with the true secret of volatilizing the fixt salt of tartar. London Printed for the publisher, and are to be sold by the book-sellers of London, and at his own house in Hewes court in Black-Fryers, 1682. 8 p.l., 272 p. 

Skunks deter predators by release of a liquid spray containing seven major volatile components classified as thiols (compounds containing the -SH functional group) and acetate derivatives of thiols (characterized by the SC(0)CH3 functionality). In particular, two of the more odiferous components responsible for the strongly repellent odor of the skunk s secretion are 2-butene-1-thiol (Fig. 13.2.1) and 3-... 

Unlike parasitoids of other insect orders that have host-seeking larvae, most parasitic hymenoptera lay their eggs on, in, or very close to a host individual [11]. This requires the adult female to find a suitable host, often with the aid of chemical cues from host frass, pheromones, plant volatiles emitted upon host feeding or egg-deposition, silk, honeydew and other secretions. She may then chemically mark the host following oviposition to reduce superparasitism by herself or intra- and inter-specific insects [11]. 

Tetratrophic interactions between a host plant, a phytophagous pest (primary host), a hymenopteran parasitoid or symbiont (secondary host) and a hymenopteran hyperparasitoid (which parasitizes the secondary host) are of considerable importance, because hyperparasitism can significantly reduce populations of economically beneficial parasitoids [11]. Hyperparasitoids use host-marking (=spacing) pheromones, sex pheromones [12], and host-detection cues [42], but they also show additional chemically mediated interactions with the other partners. These include detection of the primary host s secretions by the hyperparasitoid [43], detection of plant volatiles by the hyperparasitoid [44], and detection of the hyperparasitoid s secretions by the primary host [45] or by the secondary host. The latter causes the secondary host to avoid locations where the hyperparasitoid is foraging [46]. 

Plant resins are lipid-soluble mixtures of volatile and nonvolatile terpenoid and/or phenolic secondary compounds that are usually secreted in specialized structures located either internally or on the surface of the plant. Although terpenoid resins constitute the majority of the resins produced and used, some other important resins are phenolic. Phenolic resin components, which occur on the surfaces of plant organs, have been used particularly in medicines [86]. 

Soini, H.A., Schrock, S.E., Bruce, K.E., Wiesler, D., Ketterson, E.D. and Novotny, M.V. (2007) Seasonal variation in volatile compound profiles of preen gland secretions of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). J. Chem. Ecol. 33, 183-198. 

Antebrachial secretions were comprised primarily of low-molecular weight compounds. Because of the high volatility of these secretions, we could not produce reliable chromatograms using our routine extraction procedure. We are currently analyzing these secretions using solid phase dynamic extraction techniques (in col-... 

Hayes, R.A., Morelli, T.L. and Wright, P.C. (2006) Volatile components of lemur scent secretions vary throughout the year. Am. J. Primatol. 68, 1-6. 

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