Über Arthropodenabwehrstoffe, LXV. Die Chemische Ökologie des Grundschwimmers Laccophilus minutus / On Arthropode Defensive Compounds, LXV. The Chemical Ecology of the Water Beetle Laccophilus minutus

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Abstract
According to a GC-MS analysis of methylated extracts the abdominal tips of the water beetle Laccophilus minutus (Dytiscidae) contain four β-hydroxyalkanoic acids. On the basis of MS and GC data another compound was assigned the structure of 6-octenoic acid. The same β-hydroxyalkanoic acids, and in addition, traces of β-hydroxyheptanoic acids were identified in dissected pygidial defensive glands after trimethylsilylation. Methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate was recognized as a further main component in the pygidial gland secretion from the mass spectrum of its TMSi ether. The Laccophilinae occupy unique position among all the dytiscide subfamilies because they are the only water beetles which store β-hydroxyalkanoic acids in their pygidial glands. On the other hand the dytiscides appear to form a monophyletic group which is supported by the occurrence of methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate. This class of compound is also commonly encountered in the other dytiscide subfamilies

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