Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in two species of tiger beetles (Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in two species of tiger beetles (Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

Pygidial glands are a common feature of all adephagans and their products play an important role in defense against predators. The morphology of the pygidial glands and the chemistry of their secretion were studied for the first time in two species of tiger beetles – Cicindela (Cicindela) sylvicola...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoology (Jena) Vol. 162; p. 126142
Main Authors: Vranić, Sofija, Vesović, Nikola, Antonijević, Lana, Vlajić, Aleksandar, Todosijević, Marina, Pavlović, Danica, Pantelić, Dejan, Ćurčić, Srećko, Vujisić, Ljubodrag
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01-01-2024
Subjects:
Abdominal glands
Cicindelines
Defensive secretion
GC-MS
NLM
GC-MS
Abdominal glands
Defensive secretion
Cicindelines
NLM
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Summary:Pygidial glands are a common feature of all adephagans and their products play an important role in defense against predators. The morphology of the pygidial glands and the chemistry of their secretion were studied for the first time in two species of tiger beetles – Cicindela (Cicindela) sylvicola Dejean, 1822 and Cylindera (Cylindera) germanica (Linnaeus, 1758). The glands were examined by both bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy. All morphological structures of the glands were measured and described in detail. The structures mentioned were compared with those of related taxa. The secretion extracts from the pygidial glands of the investigated taxa contained a total of 24 compounds, which were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The secretion mixture of C. (C.) germanica was more complex (21 chemicals) than that of C. (C.) sylvicola (11 ones). Benzaldehyde was present in both secretion samples. Hydrocarbons were the most abundant group of secretory compounds. The purpose of the compounds, their distribution within the subfamily Cicindelinae and their effects on the ecology of the group were discussed. •The pygidial glands of two species of tiger beetles were analysed both chemically and morphologically.•The glands were examined by both bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy.•Morphological structures of the glands were measured and described in detail.•A total of 24 compounds were detected in the pygidial gland secretions.
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ISSN:0944-2006
1873-2720
DOI:10.1016/j.zool.2024.126142