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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Lines of defense in the harvestman Hoplobunus mexicanus (Arachnida: Opiliones): Aposematism, stridulation, thanatosis, and irritant chemicals

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Author(s):
Pomini, Armando Mateus [1] ; Machado, Glauco [2] ; Pinto-da-Rocha, Ricardo [3] ; Macias-Ordonez, Rogelio [4] ; Marsaioli, Anita J. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Quim, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Inst Ecol AC, Dept Evolut Biol, Xalapa 91000, Veracruz - Mexico
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology; v. 38, n. 3, p. 300-308, JUN 2010.
Web of Science Citations: 19
Abstract

The lines of defense in the harvestman Hoplobunus mexicanus are reported including the complete chemical characterization of defensive secretion, a morphological description of the ozopore, and a spectrogram of stridulating sounds. Aposematic coloration may be regarded as the first line of defense, warning diurnal predators about the unpleasant attributes of the chemical secretion. At night, the aposematic coloration is probably not efficient and, if an individual is seized by a predator, thanatosis or stridulation can be used as second lines of defense. The last line of defense is the use of chemical irritants. The defensive secretion is a mixture of two compounds: 2-methyl-5-ethylphenol and 2,5-dimethylphenol. Whereas the anterior half of the ozopore is ornamented with many sharp projections, the posterior half is smooth and membranous, probably causing the secretion to flow only to the lateroposterior area of the body. The biological meaning of each defensive mechanism and the type of stimuli that triggers each of them is discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/02934-4 - Chemical study of signaling substances produced by higher bacteria and eukaryotes
Grantee:Armando Mateus Pomini
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 08/06604-7 - Cladistics of the harvestmen of the family Gonyleptidae (Arachnida: Opiliones) based on morphological, behavioral and molecular characters
Grantee:Ricardo Pinto da Rocha
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants