Abstract
The hydrocarbon pattern in the floral scent of Yucca species was found to comprise a group of unbranched, mid-chain alkanes, alkenes, and an alkadiene. In Y. reverchonii, highly dominant (Z)-8-heptadecene is accompanied by (6Z,9Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene and heptadecane as minor components and by traces of other saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons with similar chain length. Some of these volatiles proved to be perceived by the antennae of Tegeticula cassandra (pollinating seed-eater of Yucca) and Prodoxus decipiens (herbivore on Yucca). The possible biosynthesis of the compounds is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Engelmann G (1872) The flower of yucca and its fertilization. Bull Torrey Bot Club 3(33)
Francis GW, Veland K (1981) Alkylthiolation for the determination of double-bond positions in linear alkenes. J Chromatogr A 219:379–384
Goller S, Szöcs G, Francke W, Schulz S (2007) Biosynthesis of (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-octadecatriene: the main component of the pheromone blend of Erannis bajaria. J Chem Ecol 33:1505–1509
Jurenka R (2004) Insect pheromone biosynthesis. In: Schulz S (ed) The chemistry of pheromones and other semiochemicals I. Top Curr Chem, vol 239. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 97–132
Kováts E (1965) Gas chromatographic characterization of organic substances in the retention index system. Adv Chromatogr 1:229–247
Pellmyr O (2003) Yuccas, yucca moths, and coevolution: a review. Ann Mo Bot Gard 90:35–55
Reitz AB, Nortey SO, Jordan AD Jr, Mutter MS, Maryanoff BE (1986) Dramatic concentration dependence of stereochemistry in the Wittig reaction. Examination of the lithium salt effect. J Org Chem 51:3302–3308
Svensson GP, Hickman MO Jr, Bartram S, Boland W, Pellmyr O, Raguso RA (2005) Chemistry and geographic variation of floral scent in Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae). Am J Bot 92:1624–1631
Svensson GP, Pellmyr O, Raguso RA (2011) Pollinator attraction to volatiles from virgin and pollinated host flowers in a yucca/moth obligate mutualism. Oikos 120:1577–1583
van der Klis F, van den Hoorn MH, Blaauw R, van Haveren J, van Es DS (2011) Oxidative decarboxylation of unsaturated fatty acids. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol 113:562–571
Vincenti M, Guglielmetti G, Cassani G, Tonini C (1987) Determination of double-bond position in diunsaturated compounds by mass spectrometry of dimethyl disulfide derivatives. Anal Chem 59:694–699
Wang C-P, Kameoka H (1980) Constituents of the essential oil of the flower of Yucca recurvifolia Salisb. Nippon Nôgeikagaku Kaishi (J Agric Chem Soc Japan) 54:331–336 (in Japanese, English Abstract)
Acknowledgements
The research was partially supported by NSF award DEB 1556568 to DMA and KAS.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
In Memoriam: Olle Pellmyr
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tröger, A., Svensson, G.P., Althoff, D.M. et al. The Pattern of Straight Chain Hydrocarbons Released by Yucca Flowers (Asparagaceae). J Chem Ecol 45, 46–49 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-018-1037-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-018-1037-y