Aldehydic contact poisons and alarm pheromone of the antCrematogaster scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) |
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Authors: | J M Pasteels D Daloze J L Boeve |
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Affiliation: | (1) Laboratoire de Biologie Animale et Cellulaire, Université libre de Bruxelles-CP 160, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;(2) Laboratoire de Chimie Bio-organique Faculté des Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles-CP 160, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium |
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Abstract: | The Dufour gland ofCrematogaster scutellaris stores a mixture of long-chain primary acetates bearing a cross-conjugated dienone (Scheme 1, la-c). The poison gland contains two highly active enzymes: an acetate esterase and an alcohol oxidase. During venom emission, the constituents of both glands mix and accumulate on the sting, where the formation of the highly electrophilic aldehydes (Scheme 1, 2a-c) from their acetate precursors is initiated. Acetic acid, produced during the reaction, acts as alarm pheromone. The toxicity of the acetates (Scheme 1, la-c) and of the crude secretion has been assessed by topical application onMyrmica rubra. The acetatecontaining secretion from the Dufour gland was less toxic than the enzymatically altered secretion that was rich in aldehydes. The production of acids (Scheme 1, 3a-c) was an artifact resulting from the nonenzymatic oxidation of the unstable aldehydes. |
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Keywords: | Crematogaster scutellaris ants Hymenoptera Formicidae Dufour gland contact poisons esterase alcohol oxidase alarm pheromone aldehydes |
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