Three enzymes from African frogs with close sequence homology to avian farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) were studied for their function. All three enzymes converted (2Z,6E)-FPP into several bisa...

A central question in evolutionary biology is what drives the diversification of lineages. Rapid, recent radiations are ideal systems for this ques...

Methylated long-chain aliphatic compounds such as terminal methyl ethers are a common compound type found on the epicuticular layer of arthropods, e.g., spiders. Because complex mixtures are encounter...

Covering up to September 2024 Collembola, commonly known as springtails, are abundant and important members of soil ecosystems. Due to their small size and hidden life, not much is known about their…

The structure determination and occurrence of curvisetone (1), a tricyclic nor-diterpenoid from the tiny Collembola Sinella curviseta, is reported. Utilizing NMR analysis and mass spectrometry, we identified curvisetone’s unique carbon skeleton and its occurrence in various sex and life stages. Curvisetone, carrying an unprecedented carbon tricyclic ring system, is an example of the distinct terpene usage of Collembola, which differentiates them from other arthropods.

The sense of smell is a central sensory modality of most terrestrial species. However, our knowledge of olfaction is based on vertebrates and insec...

YouTube video by The E-NICHE channel to European Chemical Ecology

Collembola are closely related to insects, but our knowledge of their often unique chemistry is limited. Here we report the identification of the epicuticular lipid nitidane, representing a novel clas...

Genomic studies of Heliconius butterflies provide evidence that Heliconius elevatus is a hybrid species, and that its speciation was driven by introgression of traits from Heliconius melpomene in...