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Behavioral responses to an alkylpyrazine from the mandibular gland of the antWasmannia auropunctata

Verhaltensreaktionen auf ein aus den Kieferdrüsen der Ameise,Wasmannia aurapunctata, stammendes Alkylpyrazin

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Summary

Mandibular glands of the ant,Wasmannia auropunctata, contain 2,5-dimethyl-3-isopentylpyrazine, a compound which attracts nestmates to disturbed workers. During interspecific aggressive encounters, this small ant may utilize the alkylpyrazine as a repellent as well as disabling opponents with its potent sting venom. Alkylpyrazines have been previously identified as cephalic products from ants of the subfamilies Ponerinæ, Formicinæ, and Dolichoderinæ but this is the first report of an alkylpyrazine from the mandibular glands of a member of the Myrmicinæ.

Zusammenfassung

Die mandibularen Drüsen der AmeiseWasmannia auropunctata enthalten 2,5-dimethyl-3-isopentylpyrazin, eine Verbindung mit der andere gleich-artige Nestbewohner von gestorten Arbeitern herbeigelockt werden. Während einer aggressiven interspezifischen Begegnung kann die kleine Ameise das Alkylpyrazin als ein Abstossungsmittel benutzen und ihren Opponenten noch dazu mit ihrem wirkungsvollen giftigen Stich untauglich machen. Alkylpyrazine sind schon früher in Vertreten der Unterfamilien Ponerinæ, Formicinæ und Dolichoderinæ gefunden worden, jedoch ist dies der erste Bericht über Alkylpyrazine in den mandibularen Drüsen einer Art der Myrmicinæ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia

    D. F. Howard, M. S. Blum, T. H. Jones & M. D. Tomalski

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  1. D. F. Howard
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  2. M. S. Blum
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  3. T. H. Jones
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  4. M. D. Tomalski
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Howard, D.F., Blum, M.S., Jones, T.H. et al. Behavioral responses to an alkylpyrazine from the mandibular gland of the antWasmannia auropunctata . Ins. Soc 29, 369–374 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02228764

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02228764

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