Excretion of heptadecene-1 into lake water by swarms of Polyphemus pediculus (Crustacea)

Abstract

1. In the littoral zone of a mesotrophic freshwater lake (Lake Selent Northern Germany) much higher concentrations of heptadecene-1 were found within a swarm of Polyphemus pediculus than in lake water at some distance from the swarm. Polyphemus collected in the field produced large amounts of heptadecene-1 when exposed to osmotic shock. Other volatile compounds were not detected. 2. Heptadecene-1 could be involved in the formation, maintenance and recognition of swarms of Polyphemus. It is the first report of the release of a volatile organic compound from a freshwater crustacean.