Chemical Defense in Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones): Do Benzoquinone Secretions Deter Invertebrate and Vertebrate Predators?

@article{Machado2005ChemicalDI,
  title={Chemical Defense in Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones): Do Benzoquinone Secretions Deter Invertebrate and Vertebrate Predators?},
  author={Glauco B. O. Machado and Patricia C. Carrera and Armando Mateus Pomini and Anita J. Marsaioli},
  journal={Journal of Chemical Ecology},
  year={2005},
  volume={31},
  pages={2519-2539}
}
Two alkylated 1,4-benzoquinones were identified from the defensive secretion produced by the neotropical harvestman Goniosoma longipes (Gonyleptidae). They were characterized as 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-ethyl-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. We tested the effectiveness of these benzoquinone secretions against several predator types, including invertebrates and vertebrates. Different predators were exposed to the harvestmen's gland secretion or to distilled water in laboratory bioassays… 
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Highly Influential Citations
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59 Citations

Multifunctional weaponry: the chemical defenses of earwigs.

The chemical defense in larvae of the earwig Forficula auricularia.

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

Effects of Gonyleptidine on the Orb-Web Spider Araneus lathyrinus (Holmberg, 1875)

The results suggest that, when ingested, the gonyleptidine deteriorates the spider's coordination, similar to the effect of neurotoxic substances, like some pesticides.

Benzoquinone-rich exudates from the harvestman Pachylus paessleri (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae: Pachylinae)

While dimethyl- and trimethyl-benzoquinones are widespread in scent gland secretions of Gonyleptoidea, 2,5-dimethyl-3-ethyl-1,4- Benzoquinone and 2,ethyl-5-methyl-1-4-benzosquinone are reported for the first time in Opiliones.

The scent gland chemistry of neogoveid cyphophthalmids (Opiliones): an unusual methyljuglone from Metasiro savannahensis

The secretions of Metasiro savannahensis Clouse and Wheeler are reported, a first representative of the family Neogoveidae, and a methyljuglone isomer, 6-methyljuglones, amounted for about 20% of the secretion and was eventually identified by synthesis, adding to the repertoire of unusual naphthoquinone compounds across the Cyphophthalmi.

Egg Production Constrains Chemical Defenses in a Neotropical Arachnid

It is suggested that egg production is a critical moment in the life of harvestman females, representing perhaps the highest cost of reproduction in the group and safeguarding a primary biological function related to reproduction.

The Scent Glands of the Neotropical Harvestman Discocyrtus pectnifemur: Morphology, Behavior and Chemistry

The morphology of the ozopore area, the mode of emission of the defensive secretion, and its chemical composition in the harvestman Discocyrtus pectinifemur are described, and they suggest that the alarm pheromone function in harvestmen may be dependent on ecological factors.

Scent gland chemistry and chemosystematics in harvestmen

Deep chemical divergence is evident in secretions from the Laniatores, along with a split of laniatorean secretions into at least two chemically distinct groups: travunioid Insidiatores mainly produce an array of nitrogen-containing compounds, whereas phenol- and benzoquinone-rich secretions are characteristic of grassatorean Lani atores.

A Novel Class of Defensive Compounds in Harvestmen: Hydroxy-γ-Lactones from the Phalangiid Egaenus convexus

Hydroxy-γ-lactones represent a new class of exocrine defense compounds in harvestmen and are characterized by GC-MS of their microreaction derivatives, HRMS, and NMR.
...

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