Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of vertebrate volatiles stimulating olfactory receptors on tarsus I of the tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae)

II. Receptors outside the Haller's organ capsule

  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bovine odour excites olfactory receptor(s) in a wall-pore olfactory sensillum on the anterior pit of Haller's organ in Amblyomma variegatum. Gas chromatography-coupled electrophysiology recordings from this sensillum reveal the presence of 4 active compounds in bovine odour. The two strongest stimulants were identified as 2-nitrophenol and 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol by gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry, and by matching electrophysiological activity of synthetic analogues. Synthetic analogues of known vertebrate-associated volatiles also stimulate other olfactory receptors in sensilla on the surface of tarsus I: a lactone receptor responding to γ-valerolactone and 6-caprolactone; different fatty acid receptor types responding best to either pentanoic acid, 2-methylpropanoic acid or to butanoic acid; three receptors responding to NH3; and one receptor responding to 3-pentanone. Gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry analysis of vertebrate volatiles revealed presence of a number of these olfactory stimulants in concentrates of rabbit and steer odour, i.e. 2-methylpropanoic acid, butanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, pentanoic acid, and γ-valerolactone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

GC-EL:

gas chromatography-coupled electrophysiological recording

GC-MS:

gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry

References

  • Albone ES (1984) Mammalian semiochemistry. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Altner H, Sass H, Altner I (1977) Relationship between structure and function of antennal chemo-, hygro-, and thermoreceptive sensilla in Periplaneta americana. Cell Tissue Res 176:389–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Altner H, Routil Ch, Loftus R (1981) The structure of bimodal chemo-, thermo-, and hygroreceptive sensilla on the antenna of Locusta migratoria. Cell Tissue Res 215:289–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Apps PJ, Viljoen HW, Pretorius V (1988) Aggregation pheromones of the bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum: identification of candidates for bioassay. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 55:135–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayorinde F, Wheeler JW, Wemmer C, Murtaugh J (1982) Volatile components of the occipital gland secretion of the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). J Chem Ecol 8:177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Barré N, Pavis C, Malosse C, Kermarrec A, Delot J, Bonijol A, Aprelon R, Rousseau L (1991) Les phéromones d'agrégation-fixation de la tique Amblyomma variegatum en Guadeloupe. Utilisation possible en lutte intégrée. Rapport IEMVT-INRA, Guadeloupe

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard J (1974) Etude électrophysiologique de récepteurs impliqués dans l'orientation vers l'hôte et dans l'acte d'hématophagie chez un hémiptère: Triatoma infestons. Thèse Université Rennes, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger BV, Pretorius PJ, Spies HSC, Bigalke RC, Grierson GR (1990) Mammalian pheromones VIII. Chemical characterization of preorbital gland secretion of grey duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia (Artiodactyla: Bovidae). J Chem Ecol 16:397–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Delot J (1990) Les pheromones d'agrégation-fixation chez la tique Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Ixodida): une étude en Guadeloupe. Thèse Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl PA, Guerin PM, Vlimant M, Steullet P (1991) Biosynthesis, production site, and emission rates of aggregation-attachment pheromone in males of two Amblyomma ticks. J Chem Ecol 17:833–847

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox GJ (1982) Potentials for pheromones in chimpanzee vaginal fatty acids. Folia Primatol 37:255–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Gatehouse AG (1970) The probing response of Stomoxys calcitrans to certain physical and olfactory stimuli. J Insect Physiol 16:61–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Gödde J (1989) Vibrating glass stylets: tools for precise microsurgery on cuticular structures. J Neurosci Methods 29:77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Goetz N, Kaba G, Good D, Hussler G, Bore P (1988) Detection and identification of volatile compounds evolved from human hair and scalp using headspace gas chromatography. J Soc Cosmet Chem 39: 1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggart DA, Davis EE (1980) Ammonia-sensitive neurons on the first tarsi of the tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. J Insect Physiol 26:517–523

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggart DA, Davis EE (1981) Neurons sensitive to 2,6dichlorophenol on the tarsi of the tick Amblyomma americanum (Acari, Ixodidae). J Med Entomol 18:187–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess E, Vlimant M (1982) The tarsal sensory system of Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae, Metastriata). I. Wall pore and terminal pore sensilla. Rev Suisse Zool 89:713–729

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess E, Vlimant M (1983) The tarsal sensory system of Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae, Metastriata). III. Mapping of sensory hairs and evolution of the relative importance of sensory modalities during post-embryonic development. Rev Suisse Zool 90:887–897

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins BA (1964) The probing response of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (the stable fly) to vapours. Anim Behav 12:513–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Hribar LJ, Leprince DJ, Foil LD (1992) Ammonia as an attractant for adult Hybomitra lasiophthalma (Diptera: Tabanidae). J Med Entomol 29:346–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanda F, Yagi E, Fukuda M, Nakajima K, Ohta T, Nakata O (1990) Elucidation of chemical compounds responsible for foot malodour. Br J Dermatol 122:771–776

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacher V (1967) Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an einzelnen Geruchsrezeptoren auf den Antennen weiblicher Moskitos (Aedes aegypti L.). J Insect Physiol 13:1461–1470

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees AD (1948) The sensory physiology of the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus. J Exp Biol 25:145–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller-Schwarze D, Müller-Schwarze C, Singer AG, Silverstein RM (1974) Mammalian pheromone: identification of active component in the subauricular scent of the male pronghorn. Science 183:860–862

    Google Scholar 

  • Norval RAI, Andrew HR, Yunker CE (1989) Pheromone-mediation of host-selection in bont ticks (Amblyomma hebraeum Koch). Science 243:364–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Norval RAI, Peter T, Meltzer MI (1992) Comparison of the attachment rates of males of the ticks Amblyomma hebraeum and A. variegatum to cattle, sheep and rabbits in the absence of aggregation-attachment pheromone. Exp Appl Acarol 15:145–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoeni R (1987) Das wirtsgebundene Aggregationspheromon der tropischen Buntzecke Amblyomma variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae). Thèse Université Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoeni R, Hess E, Blum W, Ramstein K (1984) The aggregation-attachment pheromone of the tropical bont tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Acari: Ixodidae): isolation, identification and action of its components. J Insect Physiol 30:613–618

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinbrecht RA (1984) Arthropoda: chemo-, hygro-, and thermoreceptors. In: Bereiter-Hahn J, Matolsky AG, Richards KS (eds) Biology of the integument. Springer, Berlin, pp 523–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Steullet P, Guerin PM (1992a) Perception of breath components by the tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae). I. CO2-excited and CO2-inhibited receptors. J Comp Physiol A 170:665–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Steullet P, Guerin PM (1992b) Perception of breath components by the tropical bont tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae) II. Sulfide receptors. J Comp Physiol A 170:677–685

    Google Scholar 

  • Steullet P, Guerin PM (1994) Identification of vertebrate volatiles stimulating olfactory receptors on tarsus I of the tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae) I. Receptors within the Haller's organ capsule. J Comp Physiol A 174:27–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugisawa H (1981) Sample preparation: isolation and concentration. In: Teranishi R, Flath RA, Sugisawa H (eds) Flavor research recent advances. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York Basel, pp 15–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas G, Schomaker CH, Been TH, van den Berg MJ, Prisjs HJ (1985) Host finding and feeding in Hydrotaea irritons (Diptera, Muscidae): the role of chemical senses. Vet Parasitol 18:209–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Thonney F (1987) Etude morphologique et structurale des récepteurs sensoriels du tarse I de la tique Ixodes ricinus L. Thèse Université Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • Waladde SM (1982) Tip-recording from ixodid tick olfactory sensilla: responses to tick related odours. J Comp Physiol 148:411–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Waladde SM, Rice MJ (1982) The sensory basis of tick feeding behaviour. In: Obenchain FD, Galun R (eds) Physiology of ticks. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 71–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh DI, Watts CD (1990) Collection and identification of trace organic compounds in atmospheric deposition from a semirural site in the U.K. Int J Environ Anal Chem 38:185–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng X-N, Leyden JJ, Lawley HJ, Sawano K, Nohara I, Preti G (1991) Analysis of characteristic odors from human male axillae. J Chem Ecol 17:1469–1492

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng X-N, Leyden JJ, Brand JG, Spielman AI, McGinley KJ, Preti G (1992) An investigation of human apocrine gland secretion for axillary odor precursors. J Chem Ecol 18:1039–1055

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Zoology, University of Neuchâtel, Chantemerle 22, CH-2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    P. Steullet & P. M. Gnerin

Authors
  1. P. Steullet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. M. Gnerin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steullet, P., Gnerin, P.M. Identification of vertebrate volatiles stimulating olfactory receptors on tarsus I of the tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae). J Comp Physiol A 174, 39–47 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192004

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192004

Key words

Search

Navigation