Abstract
The large paired reservoirs of the pygidial gland of Azteca nr. bicolor and A. chartifex represents the largest exocrine structure in the abdomen. The glands produce a secretion with a strong smell, which the ants release when they are disturbed. Analyses of the secretions by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a mixture of iridoids and ketones. A. nr. bicolor contains 2-heptanone (8%) and a mixture of three iridodial isomers, with trans-trans-iridodial as the major component (32%). A. chartifex contains 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (13%) and the three isomeric iridodials with cis-trans-iridodial as the principal component (32%).
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Do Nascimento, R.R., Billen, J., Sant'ana, A.E.G. et al. Pygidial Gland of Azteca NR. bicolor AND Azteca chartifex: Morphology and Chemical Identification of Volatile Components. J Chem Ecol 24, 1629–1637 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020864427854
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020864427854