Biological Activities and Ecological Significance of Fire Ant Venom Alkaloids.
Toxins (Basel)
; 15(7)2023 07 03.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37505709
Venoms produced by arthropods act as chemical weapons to paralyze prey or deter competitors. The utilization of venom is an essential feature in the biology and ecology of venomous arthropods. Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are medically important venomous ants. They have acquired different patterns of venom use to maximize their competitive advantages rendered by the venom when facing different challenges. The major components of fire ant venom are piperidine alkaloids, which have strong insecticidal and antibiotic activities. The alkaloids protect fire ants from pathogens over the course of their lives and can be used to defend them from predators and competitors. They are also utilized by some of the fire ants' natural enemies, such as phorid flies to locate host ants. Collectively, these ants' diverse alkaloid compositions and functions have ecological significance for their survival, successful invasion, and rapid range expansion. The venom alkaloids with powerful biological activities may have played an important role in shaping the assembly of communities in both native and introduced ranges.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hormigas
/
Venenos de Artrópodos
/
Dípteros
/
Alcaloides
/
Venenos de Hormiga
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Toxins (Basel)
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Suiza