Caste specific alkaloid chemistry of Solenopsis maboya and S

Abstract

Examination of the alkaloids of Solenopsis maboya Snelling and comparison with those previously found in S. Torresi Snelling, reveals a clear example of caste-specific alkaloid production in the queens and workers of each species. The queens of Solenopsis maboya contain a single piperidine while the workers produce a different piperidine along with two indolizidine isomers. In contrast, the queens of S. torresi contain a single indolizidine while the workers produce an unsaturated piperidine. In both species there is structural analogy between the bicyclic indolizidines and the monocyclic piperidines, and in S. maboya both classes of compounds even share six-membered ring stereochemistry.

Citation

Torres, J.A.; Zottig, V.E.; Co, J.E.; Jones, T.H.; Snelling, R.R. 2001. Caste specific alkaloid chemistry of Solenopsis maboya and S. torresi (Hymenoptera: Formicidade). Sociobiology. 37(3B):579-583.