title: Diacetin, a reliable cue and private communication channel in a specialized pollination system.
abstract: The interaction between floral oil secreting plants and oil-collecting bees is one of the most specialized of all pollination mutualisms. Yet, the specific stimuli used by the bees to locate their host flowers have remained elusive. This study identifies diacetin, a volatile acetylated glycerol, as a floral signal compound shared by unrelated oil plants from around the globe. Electrophysiological measurements of antennae and behavioural assays identified diacetin as the key volatile used by oil-collecting bees to locate their host flowers. Furthermore, electrophysiological measurements indicate that only oil-collecting bees are capable of detecting diacetin. The structural and obvious biosynthetic similarity between diacetin and associated floral oils make it a reliable cue for oil-collecting bees. It is easily perceived by oil bees, but can't be detected by other potential pollinators. Therefore, diacetin represents the first demonstrated private communication channel in a pollination system.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria [2] Department of Plant Systematics, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth.
authors.forename: Irmgard
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schäffler
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kim E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haid
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Sander S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: van Berkel
authors.affiliation: Botanical Garden München-Nymphenburg, Menzinger Str. 65, 80638 München, Germany.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wessjohann
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria [2] Department of Plant Systematics, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dötterl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D054817:Pollination / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile