title: Venom chemistry of ants in the genusMonomorium.
abstract: A comparative analysis of the venomous alkaloids produced by ant species in the subgenusMonomorium of the genusMonomorium has been undertaken. All species produce mixtures of unsymmetricaltrans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidines, but the proportions of the constituents may vary considerably between species. All alkaloids contain both C6 and C9 side chains which are present as C9-saturated. C6-monounsaturated, and both C6-and C9-monounsaturated dialkylpyrrolidines. The structure of 2-(1-hex-5-enyl)-5-(1-non-8-enyl)pyrrolidine, a previously undescribed alkaloid, was proved by unambiguous synthesis after the location of the double bonds was established by the methoxymercuration-demercuration followed by mass spectrometry. The possible chemotaxonomic significance of the mixtures of venomous alkaloids produced by these species ofMonomorium is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fales
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres