Paternal allocation of sequestered plant pyrrolizidine alkaloid to eggs in the danaine butterfly, Danaus gilippus.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid sequestered by adult male Danaus gilippus from plants is transferred in large measure to the female at mating, and by the female to the eggs. The eggs, presumably, are protected as a result. The male's courtship pheromone, danaidone, derived from the sequestered alkaloid, may function to advertise the male's alkaloid-donating capacity.
Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
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Dussourd
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Harvis
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Meinwald
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Eisner
D000818:Animals; D002080:Butterflies / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids