Journal
LIFE-BASEL
Volume 11, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/life11060562
Keywords
allomone; chemical ecology; defensive secretion; gas chromatography; ground beetles; microscopy; morphology
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Predator community structure plays a significant role in shaping the evolution of prey defence traits and strategies, with carabid beetles utilizing chemical secretions to protect themselves from predators.
Predator community structure is an important selective element shaping the evolution of prey defence traits and strategies. Carabid beetles are one of the most diverse families of Coleoptera, and their success in terrestrial ecosystems is related to considerable morphological, physiological, and behavioural adaptations that provide protection against predators. Their most common form of defence is the chemical secretion from paired abdominal pygidial glands that produce a heterogeneous set of carboxylic acids, quinones, hydrocarbons, phenols, aldehydes, and esters. This review attempts to update and summarise what is known about the pygidial glands, with particular reference to the morphology of the glands and the biological function of the secretions.
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