(3R,6E)-nerolidol, a fertility-related volatile secreted by the queens of higher termites (Termitidae: Syntermitinae)
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61388963%3A_____%2F19%3A00508791" target="_blank" >RIV/61388963:_____/19:00508791 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60460709:41320/19:81295
Result on the web
<a href="https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/znc/74/9-10/article-p251.xml" target="_blank" >https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/znc/74/9-10/article-p251.xml</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/znc-2018-0197" target="_blank" >10.1515/znc-2018-0197</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
(3R,6E)-nerolidol, a fertility-related volatile secreted by the queens of higher termites (Termitidae: Syntermitinae)
Original language description
The queens of advanced social insects maintain their reproductive monopoly by using exocrine chemicals. The chemistry of these 'queen pheromones' in termites is poorly known. We show that primary queens of four higher termites from the subfamily Syntermitinae (Embiratermes neotenicus, Silvestritermes heyeri, Labiotermes labralis, and Cyrilliotermes angulariceps) emit significant amounts of the sesquiterpene alcohol (E)-nerolidol. It is the dominant analyte in queen body washes, it is present on the surface of eggs, but absent in kings, workers, and soldiers. In E. neotenicus, it is also produced by replacement neotenic queens, in quantities correlated with their fertility. Using newly synthesised (3R,6E)-nerolidol, we demonstrate that the queens of this species produce only the (R) enantiomer. It is distributed over the surface of their abdomen, in internal tissues, and in the haemolymph, as well as in the headspace of the queens. Both (R) and (S) enantiomers are perceived by the antennae of E. neotenicus workers. The naturally occurring (R) enantiomer elicited a significantly larger antennal response, but it did not show any behavioural effect. In spite of technical difficulties encountered in long-term experiments with the studied species, (3R,6E)-nerolidol remains among eventual candidates for the role in queen fertility signalling.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10616 - Entomology
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA18-21200S" target="_blank" >GA18-21200S: Mechanistic aspects of extended longevity of termite kings and queens</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2019
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Zeitschrift fuer Naturforschung. Section C: a Journal of Biosciences
ISSN
0939-5075
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
74
Issue of the periodical within the volume
9/10
Country of publishing house
DE - GERMANY
Number of pages
14
Pages from-to
251-264
UT code for WoS article
000489294100004
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85063723263