Chemical and Olfactory Characterization of Odorous Compounds and Their Precursors in the Parotoid Gland Secretion of the Green Tree Frog, Litoria caerulea |
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Authors: | Benjamin P C Smith Michael J Tyler Brian D Williams Yoji Hayasaka |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Environmental Biology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5005;(2) Department of Soil & Water, University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia, 5064;(3) Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia, 5064 |
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Abstract: | When stressed or challenged by a predator, the Australian green tree frog, Litoria caerulea, emits a characteristic nutty odor from its parotoid glands. This study identifies the source of the odor as the cyclic amide 2-pyrrolidone (2-PyrO). In addition, we demonstrate the presence of 2-PyrO's straight chain form, -aminobutyric acid or GABA, in the frog's glandular secretion and propose an odorant–precursor relationship. What role both compounds play in the frog's defensive strategy remains unknown. Prolonged exposure to the odor is shown to result in adverse effects that may be attributed to a GABAergic mechanism. It is our hypothesis, however, that the odor acts as an aposematic signal, indicating the toxicity of the frog's nonvolatile secretion. |
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Keywords: | Litoria caerulea odorous/volatile secretion nutty odor 2-pyrrolidone GABA |
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