Will the climate of plant origins influence the chemical profiles of cuticular waxes on leaves of Leymus chinensis in a common garden experiment?

Cuticular wax covering the leaf surface plays important roles in protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the way in which plant leaf cuticles reflect their growing environment could give an insight into plant resilience to future climate change. Here, we analyzed the variations of cuticular waxes among 59 populations of Leymus chinensis in a common garden experiment, aiming to verify how environmental conditions influence the chemical profiles of cuticular waxes. In total, eight cuticular wax classes were identified, including fatty acids, aldehydes, primary alcohols, alkanes, secondary alcohols, ketones, β‐diketones, and alkylresorcinols, with β‐diketones the predominant compounds in all populations (averaged 67.36% across all populations). Great intraspecific trait variations (ITV) were observed for total wax coverage, wax compositions, and the relative abundance of homologues within each wax class. Cluster analysis based on wax characteristics could separate 59 populations into different clades. However, the populations could not be separated according to their original longitudes, latitudes, annual temperature, or annual precipitation. Redundancy analysis showed that latitude, arid index, and the precipitation from June to August were the most important parameters contributing to the variations of the amount of total wax coverage and wax composition and the relative abundance of wax classes. Pearson's correlation analysis further indicated that the relative abundance of wax classes, homologues in each wax class, and even isomers of certain compound differed in their responses to environmental factors. These results suggested that wax deposition patterns of L. chinensis populations formed during adaptations to their long‐term growing environments could inherit in their progenies and exhibit such inheritance even these progenies were exported to new environments.     

祁连圆柏针叶解剖结构对高原寒旱环境的适应性分析北大核心CSCD

祁连圆柏(Juniperus przewalskii)是青海省森林生态系统的重要组成部分,为揭示祁连圆柏对高原寒旱环境的适应特性,该研究以青海省祁连圆柏当年生针叶为研究对象,采用石蜡切片法制片,测定其叶宽、叶厚、下角质层厚、下表皮细胞厚、叶维管束木质部及韧皮部厚,并利用回归分析及偏相关分析探讨了针叶解剖结构对经纬度、海拔、坡向的响应特征。结果表明:(1)祁连圆柏针叶解剖结构在经纬度上无显著变化,其解剖结构与经纬度均无显著相关性。(2)祁连圆柏针叶解剖结构与海拔关系存在阶段性和结构间的差异性,在环境压力较小的低海拔段(<3 200 m)无显著变化;在海拔3 200 m以上,祁连圆柏叶宽、叶厚、下角质层厚、下表皮细胞厚随海拔升高而不同程度地增厚;当海拔高于3 680 m时各针叶解剖结构增长趋势变缓,尤其是叶宽、叶厚增速下降比例更大;下角质层厚和下表皮细胞厚与海拔相关性最强,其次是叶厚、叶宽,但叶维管束木质部厚以及韧皮部厚与海拔始终均未表现出显著相关性。(3)6个地区阴坡祁连圆柏针叶下角质层厚均高于阳坡,且下角质层厚与坡向显著相关。研究认为,祁连圆柏对高原寒旱环境适应性强,经纬度变化、低海拔段和阳坡的环境压力不足以使其产生相应结构变化;在阴坡其通过增厚针叶下角质层厚来提高耐寒性,在高海拔段其通过增厚下角质层、下表皮细胞层以及叶宽、叶厚来适应极寒极旱等复杂的环境压力。     

影响披碱草属植物遗传分化和亲缘关系的地理因素分析

用微卫星标记法对产自中国青藏高原和蒙古高原地区9种披碱草属（Elymus L．）植物的40个居群进行遗传变异和亲缘关系分析,居群问遗传相似系数为0．020～0．957,居群间遗传距离与地理因素关系密切。以垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutctns Griseb．）为例,采用二维和三维Mantel检验,对遗传距离和地理因素间的关系（纬度、经度和海拔）作进一步分析,结果表明,地理位置（纬度和经度）是影响垂穗披碱草居群微卫星遗传差异的最重要因素（R=0．478;P＜0．05）,其次是海拔（R=0．258;P＞0．05）。单一地理位置因素（纬度或经度）与遗传距离的相关性并不明显,但从单一地理位置因素与遗传距离的相关系数、可信度区间来看,纬度对遗传分化的影响程度大于经度。     

野生玫瑰种群表型变异

在野生玫瑰(Rosa rugosa)自然分布区内选取5个代表种群,选择24个表型性状作为研究对象,运用方差分析、多重比较、主成分分析、相关分析、聚类分析等方法,得出野生玫瑰种群表型变异程度和变异规律。结果显示:(1)24个表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在极显著差异,变异非常丰富;种群内变异(0.2718)大于种群间变异(0.1679),种群内变异是表型变异的主要来源,种群间平均表型分化系数(VST)为0.2952,分化水平相对较大;表型性状平均变异系数(CV)为18.48%(6.67—26.79%),叶片、果实、花、种子的变异系数依次为21.40%、17.42%、12.54%、6.67%;主成分分析表明叶片、果实的表型变异对种群变异起主要的贡献作用。(2)托叶长与年平均气温、7月平均气温呈显著正相关,与经、纬度呈显著负相关;果实横径与年降水量呈显著正相关;千粒重与经、纬度呈显著正相关,与7月平均气温呈显著负相关。(3)利用欧氏距离进行系统聚类分析,可以将5个种群划分为3类,表型性状主要依地理位置聚类。     

Geographical Clines for Quantitative Traits in Natural Populations of a Tropical Drosophilid: Zaprionus Indianus

We analyzed natural populations of Zaprionus indianusin 10 Indian localities along a south-north transect (latitude: 10–31°3 N). Size traits (body weight, wing length and thorax length) as well as a reproductive trait (ovariole number) followed a pattern of clinal variation, that is, trait value increased with latitude. Wing/thorax ratio, which is inversely related to wing loading, also had a positive, but non-significant correlation with latitude. By contrast, bristle numbers (sternopleural and abdominal) exhibited a non-significant but negative correlation with latitude. Sex dimorphism, estimated as the female/male ratio, was very low in Z. indianus, contrasting with results already published in other species. Genetic variations among populations were also analyzed according to other geographic parameters (altitude and longitude) and to climatic conditions from each locality. A significant effect of altitude was found for size traits. For abdominal bristles, a multiple regression technique evidenced a significant effect of both latitude and altitude, but in opposite directions. Genetic variations were also correlated to climate, and mainly with average year temperature. Taking seasonal variations into account failed however to improve the predictability of morphometrical variations. The geographic differentiation of Z.indianusfor quantitative traits suggests adaptive response to local conditions, especially to temperature, but also reveals a complex situation according to traits investigated and to environmental parameters, which does not match results on other drosophilid species.     

横断山区干旱河谷川滇蔷薇生长与繁殖特征的地理空间差异

通过大面积的野外踏查、种群调查和室内实验,分析了横断山区干旱河谷乡土灌木川滇蔷薇在岷江流域、大渡河流域、雅砻江流域和金沙江流域的分布、生长繁殖特征及其在流域间的差异。结果表明,川滇蔷薇广泛分布于四大流域,海拔范围1700m至3700 m,所调查的18个种群生长状况良好,株高2 m以上,明显高于群落中的其他灌木。主成分分析表明,地理位置(流域、纬度、经度、海拔)和土壤(全碳、总有机碳、全氮、pH值)是影响川滇蔷薇生长繁殖的主要因子,其中地理位置的影响更大。生长特征包括株高、地径和冠幅在18个种群间差异显著,但在不同的流域间差异不显著。丛萌生数在种群间差异显著,其差异性较其他生长特征弱,但丛萌生数在不同流域间差异显著:岷江流域显著大于雅砻江流域,金沙江流域显著大于大渡河流域。与生长和无性繁殖相比,有性繁殖特征表现出更强的空间差异性,果实重量、瘦果重量以及种子活力在居群间差异极显著,果实重量和种子活力在不同流域间差异显著,但瘦果重量在流域间的差异不显著。综合分析表明,川滇蔷薇生长和繁殖特征在横断山区干旱河谷存在较强空间差异性,较强无性繁殖是种群持续存活的保证,而有性繁殖及其强烈的空间差异为种群适应多变环境以及地理空间扩展提供了遗传基础。     

白桦天然种群木材化学成分的地理变异与相关性研究

以东北地区5个天然白桦种群为研究对象,进行了木材的化学成分分析。结果表明：除1% NaOH抽出物、综纤维素、聚戊糖外,种群间化学成分含量差异都显著,并且各种群变异较大,这为白桦纸浆材种群间选择和种群内选择提供了可能。白桦天然种群间灰分与苯醇抽出物含量呈显著正相关,综纤维素与聚戊糖含量呈显著正相关。灰分和抽出物含量的变异与经度呈一定程度负相关,综纤维素和聚戊糖与纬度呈一定程度正相关,木素与纬度呈一定程度负相关。这表明,选择较高经纬度地区的白桦,可以降低灰分、抽出物、木素含量,提高综纤维素和聚戊糖含量。     

Genetic variation and clonal diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bromus ircutensis</Emphasis> Kom. in the Otingdag sandy land detected by <Emphasis Type="Italic">ISSR markers</Emphasis>

Genetic variation and clonal diversity of nine populations of Bromus ircutensis Kom. from the Otingdag sandy land were investigated using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 102 bands were amplified by using 11 ISSR primers chosen for the study. Among those 99% were polymorphic indicating high level of genetic variation at the species level with a mean genetic diversity (H) of 0.292 and Shannon information index (I) of 0.450. Percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) of nine populations was 76.48% on average, which provides more evidence of considerable genetic variation at the population level. AMOVA analysis revealed that total genetic variation was higher within populations (87.06%) than between populations (12.94%), which is mainly the result of the extensive gene flow (Nm = 1.682) among B. ircutensis populations. UPGMA cluster analysis divided the nine populations into two groups. There was significant or moderate negative correlations between genetic diversity parameters (PPL, H, I) and longitude or latitude. Mantel test also showed a significant correlation between geographical distance and genetic distance (r = 0.681, p = 0.002). Our findings indicated that distribution of B. ircutensis populations was influenced by geographical and ecological factors. Clonal diversity was also high with 108 individuals identified by 11 ISSR primers being all of different genets. Our results provide a molecular basis for sustainable management and conservation of B. ircutensis in the study area.     

Bacterial community structure in a latitudinal gradient of lakes: the roles of spatial versus environmental factors

1. We analysed the latitudinal variation of bacterioplankton in 45 freshwater environments (lakes, shallow lakes and ponds) across a transect of more than 2100 km stretching from Argentinean Patagonia (45°S) to Maritime Antarctica (63°S), to determine the factors that mainly determine bacterioplankton community structure. 2. Bacterioplankton community composition (BCC) was assessed by a fingerprinting method (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) followed by band sequencing, whereas the abundances of total bacteria and picocyanobacteria were estimated by epifluorescence microscopy. 3. Bacterioplankton community composition was controlled by a combination of spatial (latitude and longitude) and environmental [e.g. phosphate, light diffuse attenuation coefficient (K_d) and dissolved organic carbon] factors. Total bacterioplankton abundance declined with latitude. A multiple regression analysis showed that phosphate, K_d and latitude had significant effects on total bacterioplankton abundance. 4. Of 76 operational taxonomic units identified in the studied lakes, 45 were shared between Patagonian and Antarctic water bodies, 28 were present only in Patagonian lakes and three were restricted to the Antarctic lakes. Significant differences were found in BCC between Patagonia and Antarctica. Among the sequences, 54% were similar (>97% sequence similarity) to others reported from cold habitats elsewhere on the planet (glaciers, high mountain lakes, Arctic). 5. Our results provide new evidence that supports the hypotheses of biogeographic patterns of bacterial assemblages and suggest that both spatial and environmental factors control bacterioplankton community structure.     

Factors affecting leaf morphology: a case study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ranunculus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">natans</Emphasis> C. A. Mey. (Ranunculaceae) in the arid zone of northwest China

In order to examine the role of environmental factors affecting foliar morphology, we performed a case study of leaf morphological variation of Ranunculus natans found in the arid zone of northwest China. We found that foliar phenotypic variation differed significantly between populations. We described substantial positive correlations between altitude and leaf area (LA) as well as leaf perimeter (LP), and also between longitude and number of teeth, along with dissection index (DI). The pH, conductivity, and salinity of the environment caused a significant decrease in both LA and LP. Ranked in terms of their impacts on leaf morphology, the six selected factors were: altitude > pH > conductivity > salinity > longitude > latitude. We found that foliar morphological variations are functional responses to water-quantity factors (e.g., altitude and longitude at regional scales) and water-availability relation factors (e.g., pH, conductivity, and salinity at local scales), rather than to temperature-relation factors (latitude). Therefore, altitude and longitude, along with pH, conductivity, and salinity, are the main factors that significantly influence foliar morphology in the arid zone of China. We found that main factors played major roles in plant phenotypic plasticity in a complex ecosystem, although different combinations and interactions of environmental and geographical factors in each local environment may obscure the general trends in trait changes along environmental gradients.     

青藏高原垂穗披碱草遗传变异的地理因素分析

采用等位酶标记对我国青藏高原地区垂穗披碱草的9个种群进行遗传变异和系统关系分析.结果表明,不同种群间遗传距离范围在0.010 6-0.377 8,种群间遗传距离和地理环境关系密切.采用聚类分析和二维、三维Mantel检验,对青藏高原垂穗披碱草(Elymusnutans Griseb.)不同种群间遗传距离与环境条件的关系(纬度、经度和海拔)进一步分析发现,海拔和地理位置(纬度和经度)均明显影响垂穗披碱草种群遗传差异.种群间遗传距离和海拔(R=0.476 8)、地理位置(R=0.447 1)均呈现显著正相关,种群间遗传距离随着海拔、地理位置差距的增大而增加,但海拔是影响其遗传结构的最重要因素,其次是经纬度.     

云南高原湖泊水葱克隆生长与有性繁殖特征及影响因子

为掌握挺水植物克隆生长与有性繁殖参数的空间分布格局特征及环境因子对植物繁殖的影响路径,该文利用云南高原的立体地形,通过空间替代时间的方法,探讨6个湖泊共有挺水植物水葱(Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani)的克隆生长、有性繁殖的地理差异和变化规律以及对环境变化的响应。结果表明：(1)密度、株高、基径等克隆生长参数,以及结实率、穗生物量及其投资比、种子产量、活性种子数等繁殖参数在不同地理空间上存在显著差异(P<0.05),而地上生物量无显著差异。(2)密度、株高、结实率、穗生物量及其投资比等参数具有显著的经纬度、海拔地带性分布特征,其中密度随纬度和海拔的增加而增加、随经度的增加而减小,而株高、结实率、穗生物量及其投资比随纬度和海拔的增加而减小、随经度的增加逐渐增大。(3)暖月和冷月均温,土壤全氮、全磷是影响水葱克隆生长(密度、株高)的关键因子,其中暖月均温影响最大,年均降水、土壤有机碳是影响水葱有性繁殖的关键因子,其中年均降水影响最大。综上认为,气候因子(暖月均温、冷月均温和年均降水)是影响云南高原湖泊湖滨带植物水葱生长和繁殖的主要因子。     

Biogeographical patterns of algal communities in the Mediterranean Sea: Cystoseira crinita‐dominated assemblages as a case study

Aim The aim of this study was to describe the composition, community structure and biogeographical variation of subtidal algal assemblages dominated by the brown alga Cystoseira crinita across the Mediterranean Sea. Location The Mediterranean coast, from Spain (1°25′ E) to Turkey (30°26′ E). Methods Data on the species composition and structure of assemblages dominated by the species C. crinita were collected from 101 sites in nine regions across the Mediterranean Sea. Multivariate and univariate statistical tools were used to investigate patterns of variation in the composition of the assemblages among sites and regions, and to compare these with previously defined biogeographical regions. Linear regressions of species richness versus longitude and versus latitude were also carried out to test previously formulated hypotheses of biodiversity gradients in the Mediterranean Sea. Results The main features characterizing C. crinita‐dominated assemblages across the Mediterranean included a similar total cover of species, a similar cover of C. crinita, and consistency in the presence of the epiphyte Haliptilon virgatum. Biogeographical variation was detected as shifts in relative abundances of species among regions, partly coinciding with previously described biogeographical sectors. A significant positive correlation was found between species richness and latitude, while no significant correlation was detected between species richness and longitude. Main conclusions The patterns of variation in community structure detected among the studied regions reflected their geographical positions quite well. However, latitude seemed to contribute more to the explanation of biological patterns of diversity than did geographical distances or boundaries, which classically have been used to delimit biogeographical sectors. Moreover, the positive correlation between species richness and latitude reinforced the idea that latitude, and possibly temperature as a related environmental factor, plays a primary role in structuring biogeographical patterns in the Mediterranean Sea. The lack of correlation between species richness and longitude contradicts the notion that there is a decrease in species richness from west to east in the Mediterranean, following the direction of species colonization from the Atlantic.     

Does the geographical gradient of ApoE4 allele exist in China? A systemic comparison among multiple Chinese populations

The allelic frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apoE) vary substantially around the world. There is a conspicuous south-to-north gradient of e4 frequencies in Europe, with the proportion of e4 carriers from only 10–15% in the south to 40–50% in the north. The mechanism may be related to the possibility that e4 carriers are less likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. In addition, Asian populations traditionally have lower e4 frequency than Europeans, which may be attributed in part to the scarce or irregular food supplies in Western world in the recent past. However, whether these geographical distribution gradients exist in China is yet unknown. ApoE genotypes of 200 children from Nanning City were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Allele frequency data of 18 other populations were collected from published sources and correlated with latitude and longitude information from different geographic resources. In our subjects, the frequencies of apoE genotypes were E3/E3: 73.0%, E3/E2: 15.0%, E4/E3: 5.0%, E4/E4: 5.0%, and E4/E2: 2.0%; the frequencies of apoE alleles were e2: 8.5%, e3: 83.0%, and e4: 8.5%, respectively. The total sample consisted of 3,679 individuals from 19 Chinese populations; the allelic frequencies were e2: 7.6%, e3: 85.5%, and e4: 6.9%, respectively; the proportion of e4 carriers was from 4.9% in Kunming to 17.5% in Harbin. Systemic comparison among multiple Chinese populations revealed that positive correlation existed between the e4 allele frequency distribution and latitude north (r = 0.586, P = 0.008), but no correlation of the e4 allele frequency distribution with longitude east was found (r = −0.018, P = 0.942). We conclude that there is a south-to-north, but not an east-to-west gradient for the apoE4 allele in China.     

Fruit cuticle lipid composition and water loss in a diverse collection of pepper (Capsicum)

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits are covered by a relatively thick coating of cuticle that limits fruit water loss, a trait previously associated with maintenance of postharvest fruit quality during commercial marketing. To shed light on the chemical‐compositional diversity of cuticles in pepper, the fruit cuticles from 50 diverse pepper genotypes from a world collection were screened for both wax and cutin monomer amount and composition. These same genotypes were also screened for fruit water loss rate and this was tested for associations with cuticle composition. Our results revealed an unexpectedly large amount of variation for the fruit cuticle lipids, with a more than 14‐fold range for total wax amounts and a more than 16‐fold range for cutin monomer amounts between the most extreme accessions. Within the major wax constituents fatty acids varied from 1 to 46%, primary alcohols from 2 to 19%, n‐alkanes from 13 to 74% and triterpenoids and sterols from 10 to 77%. Within the cutin monomers, total hexadecanoic acids ranged from 54 to 87%, total octadecanoic acids ranged from 10 to 38% and coumaric acids ranged from 0.2 to 8% of the total. We also observed considerable differences in water loss among the accessions, and unique correlations between water loss and cuticle constituents. The resources described here will be valuable for future studies of the physiological function of fruit cuticle, for the identification of genes and QTLs associated with fruit cuticle synthesis in pepper fruit, and as a starting point for breeding improved fruit quality in pepper.     

无患子果实经济性状与环境因子的相关性

无患子分布范围广,不同种源果实经济性状差异明显,具体由哪些环境因子对无患子果实经济性状变异起主要作用尚不明确.本文以我国无患子自然分布的东、西、南、北4个边界的4个省份为调查单元,将收集到的47株天然种质为研究对象,测定各优株果实经济性状,通过相关性分析、冗余分析研究无患子果实经济性状与环境因子的互作规律.结果表明:果...     

不同梭梭种群同化枝的解剖结构特征及其与生态因子的关系分析

该研究于中国西北干旱区按自然降水梯度从东向西选择6个梭梭种群,取其当年生同化枝作为试验材料,采用石蜡切片法,应用光学显微技术测定同化枝9项解剖结构指标,分析不同生境下梭梭同化枝解剖结构的变异特点以及与生态因子的关系,为干旱区生态环境保护和梭梭资源的保护与利用提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)干旱荒漠环境的梭梭同化枝解剖结构具有连续的栅栏组织、花环结构、含晶细胞和贮水组织等结构特征,但其表皮细胞、角质层厚度、气孔位置和气下室与旱生植物结构有差异,主要表现为表皮细胞和角质层较薄,气孔半下陷且气下室不发达。(2)梭梭同化枝各种群间的9项解剖结构指标都存在显著差异,其中变异系数较大的是维管束个数/直径和角质层厚度,变异系数分别为22.78%和15.20%;相关分析表明:同化枝直径、栅栏细胞切向长、贮水组织厚度和维管柱直径均与经度、纬度、海拔、一月均温、七月均温、年均温、年降水量和年相对湿度等8个生态因子有不同程度的相关性,其中与经度、海拔、七月均温和年平均相对湿度显著相关。(3)6个梭梭种群通过聚类分析可分为两大类,分析结果与所观察到的生境类型、地理分布的划分基本一致;随着自然降水量自东向西减少,梭梭的抗旱性相应逐渐增强。     

陕西省3种主要树种叶片、凋落物和土壤N、P化学计量特征

以陕西省29个县(市)39个样点的刺槐、辽东栎和油松林为研究对象,分析比较不同树种乔木叶片、凋落物与土壤N、P化学计量特征及其与经纬度、海拔、年均温度和年降水等环境因子间关系的异同以及三者之间可能存在的关系,以期为认识陕西省主要森林树种养分限制状况、制定合理的植被管理和恢复措施提供理论依据。结果表明:3树种叶片N、P含量及比值均为刺槐辽东栎油松,与叶片相比,凋落物中N、P含量变化幅度较小,为刺槐辽东栎油松,N∶P比值为油松辽东栎刺槐。10—20 cm与0—10 cm土层相比,3树种中除辽东栎中P含量差异不显著外,其它指标N、P含量及N∶P比值均显著下降(P0.05)。刺槐、辽东栎和油松叶片N、P含量与土壤N、P含量均没有显著相关性,以刺槐、辽东栎和油松3种植物叶片为总体来说,P含量与土壤P含量显著正相关(P0.05)。叶片N、P含量均大致表现出随着年均温度和年降水的增加而增加,随着经纬度的增加而降低的趋势,这一点在刺槐叶中最为明显。凋落物N含量随着年均温度和年降水的增加而增加,随着纬度和经度的增加而降低;P含量随着年降水和经度的增加而降低;N∶P比值随着年均温度和年降水的增加而增加,随着纬度的增加而降低。研究区内,土壤N、P含量随着纬度、海拔的增加和年均温度、年降水、经度的降低而增加,N∶P比值则呈相反的趋势。3树种土壤N、P含量及N∶P比值中,P含量比N含量受环境影响更大,且0—10 cm和10—20 cm土层N、P含量及N∶P比值与各环境因子的关系基本一致。     

Monoenyl hydrocarbons in female body wax of the yellow peach moth as synergists of aldehyde pheromone components

The non-polar components of female body wax and pheromone gland extracts of the yellow peach moth synergistically enhanced male behavioral responses from close to pheromone sources in wind tunnel tests when mixed with an aldehyde pheromone blend. When the non-polar fractions (NPFs) of female body wax were further separated by column chromatography, synergistic activities were found in the 3 and 50% ether in hexane fractions, and they additively increased male responses. The main components of the first fraction were (Z)-9-tricosene, (Z)-9-pentacosene, (Z)-9-heptacosene, (Z)-9-nonacosene and (Z)-9-hentriacontene. Only (Z)-9-heptacosene showed a significant synergistic effect in enhancing male responses, but the other components had no effect. A mixture of the five monoenyl hydrocarbons lost activity at lower doses than 5 ng. Natural ratios of these hydrocarbons in the female body wax and pheromone gland extracts were similar, but the amount of (Z)-9-heptacosene in the female body wax was significantly higher than in the pheromone gland extracts. We conclude that (Z)-9-heptacosene increases male responses to aldehyde pheromones, and unknown component(s) in the 50% ether in the hexane fraction are required for full synergistic enhancement by the NPFs of the female body wax and the pheromone gland extracts.