von Hoermann, Christian and Ruther, Joachim and Ayasse, Manfred (2016) Volatile Organic Compounds of Decaying Piglet Cadavers Perceived by Nicrophorus vespilloides. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY, 42 (8). pp. 756-767. ISSN 0098-0331, 1573-1561
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
In the necrophagous burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera: Silphidae), cadaver preference appears to depend on cadaver size and on the maturity of the beetle. We previously showed that newly emerged females with immature ovaries prefer later stages of decomposition of large cadavers. Our present aim is the determination of specific chemical compounds involved in the discrimination of cadaveric odor bouquets and the recognition of specific stages of decomposition. We used headspace samples of maggot-infested piglet cadavers at various decomposition stages and performed gas chromatography coupled with electroantennography (GC-EAD) to record 45 EAD-active compounds. Using GC coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified 13 of the EAD-active compounds. The headspace of the fresh decomposition stage was characterized mainly by high relative amounts of trimethylpyrazine. High relative amounts of dimethyl trisulfide were characteristic of bloated, post-bloating, and advanced decay stages. The advanced decay and dry remains stages were dominated by high relative amounts of phenol. Statistically, this compound had the highest impact on discrimination between the fresh decomposition stage, which is important for mature burying beetles for reproduction, and the advanced decay stage, which is nutritionally more attractive for newly emerged beetles. Phenol might, therefore, function as a key substance for newly emerged female burying beetles, so that they can locate suitable cadavers for feeding to maturation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | COLEOPTERA-SILPHIDAE-NICROPHORUS; BURYING BEETLES; HUMAN REMAINS; DIPTERA CALLIPHORIDAE; INSECT SUCCESSION; GUT MICROBIOME; DECOMPOSITION; CARRION; NECROPHORUS; CARCASSES; Forensic entomology; Cadaver odor; Decomposition stages; EAD-active compounds; Phenol; Dimethyl trisulfide; 2-and 3-methylbutyric acid; GC/MS analysis; Coleoptera; Silphidae |
| Subjects: | 500 Science > 590 Zoological sciences |
| Divisions: | Biology, Preclinical Medicine > Institut für Zoologie > Chemische Ökologie (Prof. Dr. Joachim Ruther) |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Apr 2019 11:14 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Apr 2019 11:14 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/3527 |
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