Medicinal alkaloid as a sex pheromone
Article Abstract:
An aromatic alkaloid, 1,3-dimethyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione, has been identified as the sex pheromone for the chafer (Phyllopertha diversa). The chafer is a turf pest native to Japan. Although a strong female-released sex pheromone of the species has been under study since the 1980s, the females release but a tiny amount, preventing its characterization. When an ether extract from females was subjected to gas chromatography, a natural product composed of a benzene ring fused to a cyclic diamide moiety, or 1,3-dimethyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione, was produced. This compound was found to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticonvulsant effects.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Aquatic sex pheromone from a male tree frog
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to identify an aquatic, female-attracting pheromone from the paratoid and rostral glands of the male tree frog Litoria splendida. This seems to be the first pheromone from an anuran to be identified. This research involved monitoring the peptide content of secretions from the paratoid and rostral glands of male and female L. splendida every month for three years by using high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray mass spectrometry.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Moth uses fine tuning for odour resolution
Article Abstract:
It is reported that male Helicoverpa zea moth is able to distinguish strands of pheromone from those of a behavioural antagonist, separated by no more than 1 mm. It is proposed that the olfactory processing system responsible for the fine olfactory resolution, could arise from antennal neurons. The fine resolution may have evolved due to the importance in mate finding.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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