title: Deciphering the language of plant communication: volatile chemotypes of sagebrush.
abstract: Volatile communication between sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) individuals has been found previously to reduce herbivory and to be more effective between individuals that are genetically identical or related relative to between strangers. The chemical nature of the cues involved in volatile communication remains unknown for this and other systems. We collected headspace volatiles from sagebrush plants in the field and analyzed these using GC-MS. Volatile profiles were highly variable among individuals, but most individuals could be characterized as belonging to one of two chemotypes, dominated by either thujone or camphor. Analyses of parents and offspring revealed that chemotypes were highly heritable. The ecological significance of chemotypes and the genetic mechanisms that control them remain poorly understood. However, we found that individuals of the same chemotype communicated more effectively and experienced less herbivory than individuals of differing chemotypes. Plants may use chemotypes to distinguish relatives from strangers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karban
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiojiri
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishizaki
authors.forename: Santiago R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Blande
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D002164:Camphor / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D060434:Herbivory; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D002164:Camphor; C005790:beta-thujone
keywords: cue; eavesdropping; headspace; herbivory; heritability; signal