Abstract
Wolf spiders (Lycosa spp.) show delayed induced sedation (total immobilization) of prolonged duration (in the order of days) after attacks upon millipeds (Glomeris marginata). The sedation is specifically attributable to glomerin and homoglomerin, two previously characterized quinazolinones present in the defensive secretion of Glomeris. Median sedative doses for the quinazolinones are in the range of 1-7 μg per spider, a fraction of the total (60-90 μg) present in the secretion of medium to full-grown millipeds. A sedative effect upon an invertebrate predator has not previously been demonstrated for an animal defense. Quinazolinones include the synthetic drug methaqualone (Quaalude), a potent human sedative.
Keywords: predator-prey interaction, co-evolution, quinazolinones, glomerin, homoglomerin
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Brower L. P. Ecological chemistry. Sci Am. 1969 Feb;220(2):22–29. doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican0269-22. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dey P. K., Chatterjee B. K. Effect of glycosine on the higher nervous activity. Naturwissenschaften. 1967 Jan;54(1):21–22. doi: 10.1007/BF00608072. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Inaba D. S., Ray G. R., Newmeyer J. A., Whitehead C. Methaqualone abuse. "Luding out". JAMA. 1973 Jun 11;224(11):1505–1509. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Meinwald Y. C., Meinwald J., Eisner T. 1,2-Dialkyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones in the defensive secretion of a millipede (Glomeris marginata). Science. 1966 Oct 21;154(3747):390–391. doi: 10.1126/science.154.3747.390. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Schildknecht H., Maschwitz U., Wenneis W. F. Neue Stoffe aus dem Wehrsekret der Diplopodengattung Glomeris. Uber Arthropoden-Abwehrstoffe. XXIV. Naturwissenschaften. 1967 Apr;54(8):196–197. doi: 10.1007/BF00594514. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Schildknecht H., Wenneis W. F., Weis K. H., Maschwitz U. Glomerin, ein neues Arthropoden-Alkaloid. Z Naturforsch B. 1966 Feb;21(2):121–127. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]