Volatile emission by contest losers revealed by real-time chemical analysis

Batchelor, Tim P.; Linforth, Robert S.T.; Taylor, Andrew J.; Hardy, Ian C.W.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.3655

Authors

Goubault

Tim P. Batchelor

Robert S.T. Linforth

Andrew J. Taylor

Ian C.W. Hardy

Abstract

Animal interactions often involve chemical exchange but simultaneous evaluation of chemistry and behaviour has been problematical. Here we report findings from a novel method, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) coupled with manipulation of molecular-mass achieved by rearing organisms on deuterium-enhanced nutrients. This allows real-time monitoring of the occurrence and quantity of volatile chemicals released by each of two interacting individuals, in tandem with behavioural observations. We apply these methods to female–female contests in the parasitoid wasp Goniozus legneri. We show that this species emits the spiroacetal 2-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Chemical release is most common in more behaviourally aggressive contests, which occur when prior resource owners successfully resist take-over by similar-sized intruder females. Volatiles released during contests are always emitted by the loser. Aggression in contests is reduced after spiroacetal release. We suggest that the spiroacetal functions as a weapon of rearguard action. We anticipate that APCI-MS, which is rapid, non-intrusive and relatively inexpensive to operate, will be widely applied in studies linking chemistry and behaviour.

Citation

Goubault, M., Batchelor, T. P., Linforth, R. S., Taylor, A. J., & Hardy, I. C. (2006). Volatile emission by contest losers revealed by real-time chemical analysis. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273(1603), 2853-2859. doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.3655

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jun 14, 2006
Online Publication Date	Aug 8, 2006
Publication Date	Nov 22, 2006
Deposit Date	Jun 5, 2019
Journal	Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Print ISSN	0962-8452
Electronic ISSN	1471-2954
Publisher	Royal Society, The
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	273
Issue	1603
Pages	2853-2859
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2006.3655
Keywords	Contest behaviour; Chemical manipulation; Real-time mass spectrometry; Spiroacetal; Loser emission
Public URL	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2145526
Publisher URL	https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2006.3655