THE SAUROMATUM-GUTTATUM APPENDIX AS AN OSMOPHORE - EXCRETORY PATHWAYS, COMPOSITION OF VOLATILES AND ATTRACTIVENESS TO INSECTS

This report combines chemical, electron microscopic and ecological stu dies on the volatiles liberated by the Sauromatum guttatum appendix on D-Day, the day of inflorescence-opening and heat-production. More tha n 100 compounds from at least nine different chemical classes (monoter penes, sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, indo le, and phenolic and sulphur compounds) are liberated during the therm ogenic activity. The volatiles were identified using gas chromatograph y-mass spectrometry. Electron microscopy provides additional evidence that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) interacts with the plasma membrane , creating novel routes of excretion of the Volatiles to the exterior of the cell. It seems that the fusion event creates channels from the interior to the exterior of the cell. Furthermore, a multitubular body , conceivably originating in the ER, seems to fuse with the plasma mem brane and to appear only on D-day. This multitubular body is closely a ssociated with lipid bodies during heat-production and might be involv ed in the oxidation of lipids to volatile products. The foul odour pro duced by the appendix attracts at least 30 species of insects.