Tetraponerine-8, an Alkaloidal Contact Poison in a Neoguinean Pseudomyrmecine Ant, Tetraponera sp.
Open Access
- 1 May 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH in Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C
- Vol. 42 (5) , 627-630
- https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-1987-0520
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.Keywords
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