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Identification and Function of Prothoracic Exocrine Gland Steroids of the Dytiscid Beetles Graphoderus cinereus and Laccophilus minutus

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Abstract

The chemical composition of the prothoracic defensive secretion of the water beetles Graphoderus cinereus and Laccophilus minutus was examined by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of trimethylsilylated gland extracts. The main components are 3α,11α-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one in G. cinereus and 3α,12α-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan20-one in L. minutus. Fully saturated pregnanes have not been found in the prothoracic defensive glands of dytiscids before. Based on tests with synthetic compounds, their biological role was examined in a feeding assay with the minnow Phoxinus phoxinus. Agar pellets containing either steroid strongly deterred feeding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Ecology II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany

    Otmar Schaaf, Jörn Baumgarten & Konrad Dettner

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  1. Otmar Schaaf
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  2. Jörn Baumgarten
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  3. Konrad Dettner
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Schaaf, O., Baumgarten, J. & Dettner, K. Identification and Function of Prothoracic Exocrine Gland Steroids of the Dytiscid Beetles Graphoderus cinereus and Laccophilus minutus. J Chem Ecol 26, 2291–2305 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005570609835

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