Chemotaxonomic potential of exocrine alkyl esters in julid millipedes (Diplopoda: Julidae: Cylindroiulini)

Publication date: December 2018Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 81Author(s): Michaela Bodner, Boyan Vagalinski, Günther RaspotnigAbstractThere are numerous chemotaxonomic studies on arthropods, but such are largely missing for millipedes. This appears curious since particularly in millipedes, the major taxa are clearly distinctive by different exocrine products, such as alkaloids (Glomerida), terpenoids (Polyzoniida), phenolics and cyanogens (Polydesmida), and benzoquinones (Juliformia). However, there is low within-taxon variation of the chemicals mentioned which - in almost invariable blends - characterize the particular taxa. The Julida, for instance, one of the three orders of Juliformia, typically produce uniformly composed benzoquinonic secretion profiles across most species, not showing enough heterogeneity for chemotaxonomy.Recently, however, a new class of julid exocrine products, namely complex bends of alkyl esters has been reported. We here tested the chemotaxonomic potential of these compounds by performing a comprehensive study on alkyl esters across the julid tribe Cylindroiulini. Exocrine secretions of 20 species from all five cylindroiuline genera (Allajulus, Cylindroiulus, Enantiulus, Kryphioiulus, Styrioiulus) were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Apart from typical benzoquinones, 33 alkyl esters and 1 alkenyl ester belonging to hexyl-, octyl-, octenyl- and nonyl-esters with saturated and mono-unsaturated acid moieti...

Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology - August 30, 2018 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research