Defensive and other secretions of the australian cocktail ant, iridomyrmex nitidiceps |
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| Authors: | G.W.K. Cavill P.L. Robertson J.J. Brophy D.V. Clark R. Duke C.J. Orton W.D. Plant |
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| Affiliation: | School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, P. O. Box 1, Kensington, N. S. W. 2033, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Iridodial and isovaleric acid were characterized as major components of the total extract, and of the anal gland secretion, of Iridomyrmex nitidiceps. Minor constituents identified from the total extract included iridolactones, dihydronepetalactones, actinidine, 2- and 3-pentenoic acid, and fatty acids.Behaviour experiments demonstrated isovaleric acid to be primarily an alarm substance, developing repellency only at high concentration. Iridodial was deduced to be the basic repellant. Together the two served a defensive function. Their combination as products of one pair of glands showed a high level of social development. |
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