title: Miriamin, a defensive diterpene from the eggs of a land slug (Arion sp.).
abstract: The eggs of the land slug Arion sp. contain a diterpene, miriamin, characterized as a polyoxygenated geranylgeraniol derivative. In bioassays with a coccinellid beetle, Harmonia axyridis, miriamin was shown to be potently antifeedant, indicating that the compound plays a protective role in nature. It is suggested that mucilaginous soil-inhabiting organisms, given their intense exposure to pathogens and predators, may be a rich source of chemical defensive agents.
authors.affiliation: Baker Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonzàlez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eisner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meinwald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D001517:Coleoptera; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008974:Mollusca / Q000737:chemistry*; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; C402425:miriamin