title: Benzoic acid derivatives in a hypogastrurid collembolan: temperature-dependent formation and biological significance as deterrents.
abstract: Two phenolic acids were identified in the collembolan Ceratophysella denticulata: 3-hydroxy-4,5 dimethoxy benzoic acid and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid (syringic acid). These are localized on or in the integument of the springtail, in field-collected animals, in a ratio of 47:100 (v/v). Springtails kept under different temperature regimes showed differences in production and ratio of the benzoic acid derivatives. At 20 degrees C, C. denticulata produced only syringic acid, whereas at 10 degrees C both isomers in a ratio of 100:61 (v/v) were detected. Bioassays with C. denticulata as well as with the specialized collembolan predator Stenus comma (Staphylinidae) were carried out. Staphylinid beetles topically treated with the acids try to clean their mouthparts by rubbing them on the ground significantly more often than do control beetles. Both compounds individually and as a natural mixture have deterrent effects towards the predator S. comma.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl Tierökologie II Universität Bayreuth D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany. christine.bitzer@uni-bayreuth.de
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bitzer
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brasse
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dettner
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001681:Biological Assay; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D005707:Gallic Acid; C001945:syringic acid