Abstract
Three European julid species, Cylindroiulus boleti, Leptoiulus trilineatus, and Megaphyllum bosniense, secrete mixtures of up to 12 different quinones. The major components in these species are 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. 2-Methoxy-5-methylhydroquinone is detected for the first time in the Class Diplopoda. 2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethoxyhydroquinone, 2-methyl-3,4-methylendioxyphenol, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylhydroquinone are registered for the first time in representatives of the family Julidae. The similar chemical composition of defense secretions in all analyzed European julids and Pacific spirobolids supports the idea of the chemical consistency of defensive compounds in juliform millipedes.
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This study was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Serbia (Grants Nos. 173038 and 172053). We wish to thank two anonymous referees for their helpful comments on the manuscript.
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Vujisić, L.V., Makarov, S.E., Ćurčić, B.P.M. et al. Composition of the Defensive Secretion in Three Species of European Millipedes. J Chem Ecol 37, 1358–1364 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-0040-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-0040-3