Author:
Braekman J. C.,Daloze D.,Pasteeis J. M.,Hecke P. van,Declercq J. P.,Sinnwell V.,Francke W.
Abstract
The sting of the Neoguinean pseudomyrmecine ant, Tetraponera sp. (group punctulata) is modified in a structure resembling a drawing pen. These ants do not sting, but smear upon enemies a contact poison. The venom which originates from the poison gland is a mixture of eight alkaloids with an original tricyclic ring system. The structure of the major component, tetra-ponerine-8, has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The poison of Tetraponera is highly efficient in deterring aggressive sympatric ants and tetraponerine-8 shows toxic properties against Myrmica rubra when applied topically, with a LD50 of 5 × 10-4 mg/mg of ants.
Subject
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Cited by
40 articles.
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