Abstract
The true auklets (Genus Aethia) are small planktivorous seabirds of the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Two species, the crested and whiskered auklets produce volatile citrus-like odorants. We here show that the whiskered auklet odorant is composed predominantly of two odd-numbered aldehydes (heptanal and nonanal) with no detectable unsaturated aldehydes. By comparison the crested auklet odorant is dominated by even-numbered aldehydes, both saturated and monounsaturated, ranging in size from 6 to 12 carbons. This is evidence of species-specific acquisition or biosynthetic pathways. We clarify the chemistry of the crested auklet odorant. We cite evidence that the C-12:1 aldehyde in crested auklets is actually two isomers, (Z)-4-dodecenal and (Z)-6-dodecenal. We also report on experimental evidence that aldehyde constituents kill and repel ectoparasites. Efficacy of the aldehydes may increase when they are combined in a mixture. The repellency of the mixture increases with chemical concentration. This suggests that individuals with higher chemical production are likely to repel ectoparasites more effectively.
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Douglas, H.D., Co, J.E., Jones, T.H. et al. Interspecific Differences in Aethia Spp. Auklet Odorants and Evidence for Chemical Defense Against Ectoparasites. J Chem Ecol 30, 1921–1935 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOEC.0000045586.59468.de
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOEC.0000045586.59468.de