ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Coleoptera
;
Staphylinidae
;
Staphylinina
;
chemical defense
;
abdominal glands
;
iridoids
;
iridodial
;
ketones
;
cyclic compounds
;
spiroacetals
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Forty-one volatile constituents have been characterized from the abdominal defensive glands of 13 Staphylinina rove beetle species (Staphylinidae). The major secretion component, a rapidly polymerizing iridoid dialdehyde (in most cases iridodial), is mainly accompanied by variable amounts of some iridoid lactones, traces of actinidine, some possible monoterpene precursors, short-chain ketones, cyclic compounds, and spiroacetals. The secretion mixtures even of single Staphylinina genera are very heterogenously composed of a variety of active substances with different structures. This situation may be a typical feature of iridoid defense systems based upon a primary fixative major compound and clearly differs from other chemical defense systems (for example the quinone system) which have a toxic main component.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00988079
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