1
|
Abstract
Ants have outstanding capacity to mediate inter- and intraspecific interactions by producing structurally diverse metabolites from numerous secretory glands. Since Murray Blum's pioneering studies dating from the 1950s, there has been a growing interest in arthropod toxins as natural products. Over a dozen different alkaloid classes have been reported from approximately 40 ant genera in five subfamilies, with peak diversity within the Myrmicinae tribe Solenopsidini. Most ant alkaloids function as venom, but some derive from other glands with alternative functions. They are used in defense (e.g., alarm, repellants) or offense (e.g., toxins) but also serve as antimicrobials and pheromones. We provide an overview of ant alkaloid diversity and function with an evolutionary perspective. We conclude that more directed integrative research is needed. We suggest that comparative phylogenetics will illuminate compound diversification, while molecular approaches will elucidate genetic origins. Biological context, informed by natural history, remains critical not only for research about focal species, but also to guide applied research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson Fox
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21044-020, Brazil;
| | - Rachelle M M Adams
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA;
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen J, Rashid T, Feng G, Feng Y, Zhang A, Grodowitz MJ. Insecticidal Activity of Methyl Benzoate Analogs Against Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 112:691-698. [PMID: 30534996 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Although insecticidal properties of certain benzoates have been investigated for pest insects and mites, toxicity of benzoates to the red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, has never been reported. In this study, 15 commercially available benzoates were assessed for their contact and fumigation toxicity to S. invicta workers and their chemical structure-activity relationships. Among tested benzoates, benzylbenzoate, n-pentybenzoate, and n-hexylbenzoate were three most potent contact toxins against S. invicta workers (mean LD50 value = 23.31, 35.26, 35.99 µg per ant, respectively) and methyl-3-methoxybenzoate, methyl-3-methylbenzoate, and methylbenzoate were the three most potent fumigants (mean LC50 value = 0.61, 0.62, 0.75 µg/ml, respectively). For nonsubstituted alkyl benzoates (esters of benzoic acid and C1-C6 linear alcohols), the contact toxicity was positively correlated to the alkyl chain length (r = 0.89), while the fumigation toxicity was negatively correlated (r = 0.90). Presence of a methoxyl group at either the ortho or meta position of methylbenzoate significantly increased its contact toxicity, so did a methyl group at meta position. However, presence of a methyl group at ortho position reduced the contact toxicity. Presence of methyl or methoxyl group at the meta position did not have significant effect on the fumigation toxicity; however, methyl, methoxyl, chloro, or nitro groups at the ortho position significantly reduced fumigation toxicity. Hexylbenzoate has neither known Occupational Safety and Health Administration hazards nor aquatic toxicity, and methyl 3-methoxybenzoate is not considered a hazardous substance, indicating a great potential for their application in fire ant management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Biological Control Laboratory, Stoneville, MS
| | - Tahir Rashid
- Alcorn State University, Extension/Research Demonstration Farm & Technology Transfer Center, Mound Bayou, MS
| | - Guolei Feng
- Alcorn State University, Extension/Research Demonstration Farm & Technology Transfer Center, Mound Bayou, MS
| | - Yan Feng
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
| | - Aijun Zhang
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
| | - Michael J Grodowitz
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Biological Control Laboratory, Stoneville, MS
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Beck JJ, Porter N, Cook D, Gee WS, Griffith CM, Rands AD, Truong TV, Smith L, San Román I. In-field Volatile Analysis Employing a Hand-held Portable GC-MS: Emission Profiles Differentiate Damaged and Undamaged Yellow Starthistle Flower Heads. PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS : PCA 2015; 26:395-403. [PMID: 26095961 DOI: 10.1002/pca.2573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding the complex chemical signalling of plants and insects is an important component of chemical ecology. Accordingly, the collection and analysis of chemical cues from plants in their natural environment is integral to elucidation of plant-insect communications. Remote plant locations and the need for a large number of replicates make in situ headspace analyses a daunting logistical challenge. A hand-held, portable GC-MS system was used to discriminate between damaged and undamaged Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle) flower heads in both a potted-plant and natural setting. OBJECTIVE To determine if a portable GC-MS system was capable of distinguishing between undamaged and mechanically damaged plant treatments, and plant environments. METHODOLOGY A portable GC-MS utilising needle trap adsorbent technology was used to collect and analyse in situ headspace volatiles of varying yellow starthistle treatments. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to distinguish treatments and identify biomarker volatiles. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences between treatment volatile amounts. RESULTS The portable GC-MS system detected 31 volatiles from the four treatments. Each GC-MS run was completed in less than 3 min. PCA showed four distinct clusters representing the four treatments - damaged and undamaged potted plant, and damaged and undamaged natural plant. Damage-specific volatiles were identified. CONCLUSION The portable GC-MS system distinguished the treatments based on their detected volatile profiles. Additional statistical analysis identified five possible biomarker volatiles for the treatments, among them cyclosativene and copaene, which indicated damaged flower heads.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John J Beck
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Porter
- Torion Technologies Incorporated, American Fork, UT, USA
| | - Daniel Cook
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Wai S Gee
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Corey M Griffith
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
| | | | - Tai V Truong
- Torion Technologies Incorporated, American Fork, UT, USA
| | - Lincoln Smith
- European Biological Control Lab, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Montpellier, France
| | - Itxaso San Román
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oster M, Beck JJ, Furrow RE, Yeung K, Field CB. In-field yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) volatile composition under elevated temperature and CO2 and implications for future control. CHEMOECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-015-0200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
5
|
Hölldobler B, Plowes NJR, Johnson RA, Nishshanka U, Liu C, Attygalle AB. Pygidial gland chemistry and potential alarm-recruitment function in column foraging, but not solitary, Nearctic Messor harvesting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 59:863-869. [PMID: 23811189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the role of the pygidial gland on foraging behavior in two ecologically dominant column foraging Nearctic harvesting ants (Messor pergandei and Messor andrei). Using chemical analyses and behavioral tests, we show that n-tridecane is the major biologically active compound of pygidial gland secretions in both species, and that this chemical functions as a powerful alarm-recruitment pheromone. Another major compound of pygidial gland contents is benzaldehyde; this substance does not release behavioral reactions in M. pergandei workers but might function as a defensive secretion. Six solitary foraging Nearctic Messor and two column foraging Palearctic Messor species, did not have large pygidial gland reservoirs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bert Hölldobler
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zawieja P, Kornprobst JM, Métais P. 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine: a promising candidate drug for Alzheimer's disease? Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12:365-71. [PMID: 22300107 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2011.00827.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine is an analog of the paralytic alkaloid, anabaseine, from the ribbon worms Amphiporus sp., that shows numerous properties, in particular an agonist activity on alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This article reviews these properties and explains to what extent they could be valuable to control symptomatology and/or neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Zawieja
- Mines Paris Tech, Crises & Risk Research Centre, Orpéa/Clinéa, Puteaux cedex, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Raspotnig G, Schaider M, Föttinger P, Komposch C, Karaman I. Nitrogen-containing compounds in the scent gland secretions of European cladonychiid harvestmen (Opiliones, Laniatores, Travunioidea). J Chem Ecol 2011; 37:912-21. [PMID: 21769653 PMCID: PMC3148440 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-011-9996-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 05/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The exocrine secretions from prominently developed prosomal scent glands in four species of the European laniatorean harvestman genus Holoscotolemon (Laniatores, Travunioidea, Cladonychiidae) were analyzed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Two major alkaloidal compounds were detected: Nicotine accounted for more than 97% of the secretion in Holoscotolemon jaqueti and H. oreophilum, whereas the chemically related nicotinoid alkaloid anabaseine was the major compound in H. lessiniense. In addition, a series of minor nitrogen-containing components was found, namely 3-(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)-pyridine and anabasine, in H. jaqueti and H. oreophilum, and anabasine together with 2,3'-bipyridyl in H. lessiniense. By contrast, extracts of adult H. unicolor did not show any components. In one juvenile specimen of H. unicolor, however, low amounts of alkyl pyrazines (dimethyl-isobutyl- and dimethyl-isopentylpyrazines) were detected. Nitrogen-containing components previously were found in Sclerobunus robustus (an American travunioid harvestman), so scent gland-derived alkaloids may be widespread or even common in the Travunioidea. Alkaloids have not been reported for other opilionid scent gland secretions outside the Travunioidea, and we hypothesize that they may be the phylogenetically ancestral allomones in the Laniatores, having been reduced and replaced by a phenol- and benzoquinone-rich chemistry in the more derived grassatorean taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Günther Raspotnig
- Institute of Zoology, Karl-Franzens University, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sturgis SJ, Greene MJ, Gordon DM. Hydrocarbons on harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) middens guide foragers to the nest. J Chem Ecol 2011; 37:514-24. [PMID: 21494855 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-011-9947-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Colony-specific cuticular hydrocarbons are used by social insects in nestmate recognition. Here, we showed that hydrocarbons found on the mound of Pogonomyrmex barbatus nests facilitate the return of foragers to the nest. Colony-specific hydrocarbons, which ants use to distinguish nestmates from non-nestmates, are found on the midden pebbles placed on the nest mound. Midden hydrocarbons occur in a concentration gradient, growing stronger near the nest entrance, which is in the center of a 1-2 m diameter nest mound. Foraging behavior was disrupted when the gradient of hydrocarbons was altered experimentally. When midden material was diluted with artificial pebbles lacking the colony-specific hydrocarbons, the speed of returning foragers decreased significantly. The chemical environment of the nest mound contributes to the regulation of foraging behavior in harvester ants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby J Sturgis
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Tullio AD, Angelis FD, Reale S, Grasso DA, Visicchio R, Castracani C, Mori A, Moli FL. Investigation by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of trail pheromones in ants. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2003; 17:2071-2074. [PMID: 12955735 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The Dufour's gland content of workers of two ant species of the genus Messor has been analyzed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The structures of the compounds in the pheromonal mixtures have been determined. In both cases only one intact gland, inserted in a properly dimensioned capillary vial, is sufficient to produce a clean and fully interpretable GC/MS profile. It is worth noting that, for the first time in Messor ants, farnesol has been detected as a minor component of glandular secretion in Messor capitatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Di Tullio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Ingegneria Chimica e Materiali, Università dell'Aquila, Coppito, I-67010 L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|