Insect pheromones and precursors in female African elephant urine

J Chem Ecol. 2006 Aug;32(8):1849-53. doi: 10.1007/s10886-006-9094-z. Epub 2006 Jun 7.

Abstract

Using automated solid-phase dynamic extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, our search for urinary chemical signals from ovulatory female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) has revealed the bark beetle aggregation pheromones frontalin, exo-brevicomin, and endo-brevicomin, as well as their precursors and the aphid alarm pheromones (E,E)-alpha-farnesene and (E)-beta-farnesene. Enantiomeric ratios for brevicomins have been determined. Prior discovery of common insect/elephant pheromones in Asian elephants, namely, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate and frontalin, suggests that the present findings may yield valuable insights into chemical communication among African elephants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aphids / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / urine
  • Coleoptera / chemistry
  • Elephants / urine*
  • Female
  • Pheromones / urine*
  • Sesquiterpenes / urine

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Pheromones
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • beta-farnesene
  • alpha-farnesene
  • frontalin
  • brevicomin