2,3-dimethyl-5-(2-methylpropyl)pyrazine, a trail pheromone component of Eutetramorium mocquerysi Emery (1899) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The ant Eutetramorium mocquerysi (Myrmicinae) is endemic to the island of Madagascar. During foraging and nest emigration the ants lay recruitment trails with secretions from the poison gland. We identified three pyrazine compounds in the poison gland secretion: 2,3-dimethyl-5-(2-methylpropyl)pyrazi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Die Naturwissenschaften 2000-08, Vol.87 (8), p.377-380
Main Authors: Tentschert, J, Bestmann, H J, Hölldobler, B, Heinze, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
2,3-Dimethyl-5-(2-methylpropyl)pyrazine
Animals
Ants - physiology
Eutetramorium mocquerysi
Exocrine Glands - metabolism
Feeding Behavior - physiology
Formicidae
Locomotion - physiology
Madagascar
Pheromones - chemistry
Pheromones - metabolism
Pyrazines - analysis
Pyrazines - chemistry
Pyrazines - metabolism
Social Behavior
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Summary:The ant Eutetramorium mocquerysi (Myrmicinae) is endemic to the island of Madagascar. During foraging and nest emigration the ants lay recruitment trails with secretions from the poison gland. We identified three pyrazine compounds in the poison gland secretion: 2,3-dimethyl-5-(2-methylpropyl)pyrazine 1, 2,3-dimethyl-5-(3-methylbutyl)pyrazine 3, 2,3-dimethyl-5-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine 4. Only the first component elicited trail-following behavior in the ants. We were unable to investigate whether the other pyrazine components have a synergistic function.
ISSN:0028-1042
1432-1904
DOI:10.1007/s001140050745