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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

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Abstract

Gas chromatography-coupled electrophysiological recordings (GC-EL) from olfactory sensilla within the capsule of Haller's organ of the tick Amblyomma variegatum indicate the presence of a number of stimulants in rabbit and bovine odours, and in steer skin wash. Some of these stimulants were fully identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and by matching electrophysiological activity of synthetic analogues as: 1) hexanal, 2-heptenal, nonanal, furfural, benzaldehyde, and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (in all extracts); 2) heptanal, 2-, 3-, and 4-methylbenzaldehyde, and γ-valerolactone (only in bovine and rabbit odour). Careful examination of the electrophysiological responses permit characterization of 6 receptor types: 1) a benzaldehyde receptor, 2) a 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde receptor, 3) three types of receptors responding differently to aliphatic aldehydes, and 4) a lactone receptor.

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Abbreviations

GC-EL:

gas chromatography-coupled electrophysiological recording

GC-MS:

gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry

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

    P. Steullet & P. M. Guerin

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  1. P. Steullet
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  2. P. M. Guerin
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Steullet, P., Guerin, P.M. Identification of vertebrate volatiles stimulating olfactory receptors on tarsus I of the tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Ixodidae). J Comp Physiol A 174, 27–38 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192003

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