Both Gas Chromatography and an Electronic Nose Reflect Chemical Polymorphism of Juniper Shrubs Browsed or Avoided by Sheep

Overview

Journal J Chem Ecol

Publisher Springer

Specialties Chemistry
Environmental Health

Date 2011 Jun 1

PMID 21626295

Citations 3

Authors

Gabor Marko

Ildiko Novak

Jeno Bernath

Vilmos Altbacker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chemical polymorphism may contribute to variation in browsing damage by mammalian herbivores. Earlier, we demonstrated that essential oil concentration in juniper, Juniperus communis, was negatively associated with herbivore browsing. The aim of the present study was to characterize the volatile chemical composition of browsed and non-browsed J. communis. By using either gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) or an electronic nose device, we could separate sheep-browsed or non-browsed juniper shrubs by their essential oil pattern and complex odor matrix. The main components of the essential oil from J. communis were monoterpenes. We distinguished three chemotypes, dominated either by α-pinene, sabinene, or δ-3-carene. Shrubs belonging to the α-pinene- or sabinene-dominated groups were browsed, whereas all individuals with the δ-3-carene chemotype were unused by the local herbivores. The electronic nose also separated the browsed and non-browsed shrubs indicating that their odor matrix could guide sheep browsing. Responses of sheep could integrate the post-ingestive effects of plant secondary metabolites with sensory experience that stems from odor-phytotoxin interactions. Chemotype diversity could increase the survival rate in the present population of J. communis as certain shrubs could benefit from relatively better chemical protection against the herbivores.

Citing Articles

Sex-specific differences in : essential oil yield, growth-defence conflict and population sex ratio.

Marko G, Nemeth I, Gyuricza V, Altbacker V AoB Plants. 2021; 13(3):plab021.

PMID: 34122786 PMC: 8192244. DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plab021.

Volatiles and Tannins in Pistacia lentiscus and Their Role in Browsing Behavior of Goats (Capra hircus).

Navon S, Kigel J, Dudai N, Knaanie A, Glasser T, Shachter A J Chem Ecol. 2019; 46(1):99-113.

PMID: 31845136 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01124-x.

Volatile metabolites.

Rowan D Metabolites. 2014; 1(1):41-63.

PMID: 24957243 PMC: 4012514. DOI: 10.3390/metabo1010041.

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