Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons as Dynamic Traits in Sexual Communication

Insects

Fiona C. Ingleby¹ 

[1] School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, John Maynard Smith Building, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; E-Mail

关键词: CHCs;    plasticity;    sexual signals;    social environment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/insects6030732

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Recent research has demonstrated extensive within-species variation in pheromone expression in insect species, contrary to the view that pheromones are largely invariant within species. In fact, many studies on insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) show that pheromones can be highly dynamic traits that can express significant short-term plasticity across both abiotic and social environments. It is likely that this variability in CHC expression contributes to their important role in sexual signaling and mate choice. In this review, I discuss CHC plasticity and how this might influence sexual communication. I also highlight two important avenues for future research: examining plasticity in how individuals respond to CHC signals, and testing how sexual communication varies across abiotic and social environments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.