Carrion plant5/10/2023 Most beetles attracted to a fresh carcass or to a fresh carcass + dimethyl sulphide/methyl thiocyanate (DMS/MeSCN) blend were burying beetles that breed on small carcasses (95% Nicrophorus spp. The authors investigated how two blends of sulphur volatiles attracted beetles that typically colonise during the fresh or active decay stages of carrion decomposition. It recently has been hypothesized that changing volatile cues produced by microbes drive succession on carrion. The succession of insects on carrion is an important model because of its applications to ecosystem function and forensic science. torulosa has a less specific pollination system than previously reported for other kettle trap flowers but is nevertheless specialized at the level of Diptera suborder Nematocera.Įcological succession is understood in general terms (facilitation, tolerance, inhibition) even though the system‐specific mechanisms often remain elusive. torulosa can be considered to use generalized food (and possibly also brood-site) deception to lure small nematocerous Diptera into their flowers. The flowers emitted mainly ubiquitous terpenoids, most abundantly linalool, furanoid (Z)-linalool oxide, and (E)-β-ocimene-compounds typical of rewarding flowers and fruits. Approximately 16% of pollen removed from flowers was successfully exported to conspecific stigmas. Pollinating Diptera included, in order of decreasing abundance, male and female Sciaridae, Ceratopogonidae, Scatopsidae, Chloropidae, and Phoridae. torulosa flowers are myiophilous and predominantly pollinated by Nematocera. Specifically, we determined flower visitors and pollinators, assessed pollen transfer efficiency, and analysed floral scent chemistry. ![]() Here we provide data on pollination ecology and floral chemistry of R. Morphologically similar trap flowers evolved in Riocreuxia however, no data about floral rewards, pollinators, and chemical ecology were available for this plant group. Intensive research on species of Aristolochia and Ceropegia recently illuminated how these specialized trap flowers attract particular pollinators through chemical deception. A laboratory experiment demonstrated that DMTS does not directly inhibit breeding, suggesting that DMTS deters breeding beetles while they fly.Įlaborated kettle trap flowers to temporarily detain pollinators evolved independently in several angiosperm lineages. DMTS, which is known to attract a variety of carrion insects, was the only compound to significantly reduce beetle presence at a fresh carcass. The chemical that was least well known, MeSCN, increased beetle numbers by 200–800% on a fresh carcass and almost guaranteed discovery. The addition of the chemical supplement MeSAc had no effect on discovery of a fresh carcass, while DMS and DMDS had a limited ability to attract breeding beetles. When a carcass aged for 48 h was treated with an antibacterial compound to reduce volatiles, there was a 59% decrease in beetles discovering the resource. Five sulfur-containing compounds, known to result from bacterial metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, were studied: dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), methyl thiolacetate (MeSAc, also known as S-methyl thioacetate), and methyl thiocyanate (MeSCN). We investigated cues used to locate a fresh carcass in the field by (1) a general subtractive method, applying an antibacterial or antifungal compound to reduce microbially derived volatiles, and (2) a specific additive method, placing chemical supplements near a fresh carcass. Because the cues used to locate a feeding versus a breeding resource both originate from carrion, the beetles must respond to subtle changes in volatiles during decomposition. After attaining reproductive competence, they switch their search and respond to a small, fresh carcass to prepare for their brood. ![]() When burying beetles first emerge as adults, they search for well-rotted carcasses with fly maggots on which to feed. 16.1 Introduction.361ġ6.2 Historical Perspective and Review of Carrion-Mimicry in Angiosperms.363ġ6.3 VOCs Produced by Different Types of Decaying Material and Insect Olfaction.371ġ6.4 The Plant Perspective.374ġ6.4.1 Chemical Ecology of Oviposition Site Mimicry Systems.374ġ6.5 Evolution of Carrion Mimicry Systems and Future Research.375ġ6.5.1 How Does the Presence of Dung and Carrion Affect the Fitness of Oviposition Site Mimicry Systems?.376ġ6.5.2 What Are the Conditions That Favor the Evolution of Carrion Flowers?.377ġ6.5.3 Why Is Flower Gigantism Correlated with the Carrion Flower Syndrome?.377ġ6.5.4 Do Animals Use Universal Infochemicals to Identify Decomposing Plant and Animal Matter?.378ġ6.6 Conclusions.379Īcknowledgments.380
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |