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

FÖTTINGER, P.; ACOSTA, L.E.; LEIS, H.J; RASPOTNIG, G.

JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

AMER ARACHNOLOGICAL SOC

Año: 2010 vol. 38 p. 584 - 587

0161-8202

The chemical composition of the scent gland secretion of Pachylus paessleri Roewer 1913, a pachyline harvestman, was analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The secretion is a six-component mixture of benzoquinones, with 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,3,5-trimethyl-1,4-benzquinone being the main components (together amounting for L of the secretion). Minor components are 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (about 12%), 2-ethyl-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (about 8%), 2,5-dimethyl-3-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (5%), and 2-ethyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (about 1%). No sex-dependent differences could be detected. 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-benzoquinone are reported for the first time in Opiliones. The phylogenetic implications of these compounds are briefly discussed in the scope of the present knowledge of Laniatores.