| Title: | Uptake of plant-derived specific alkaloids allows males of a butterfly to copulate |
| Author(s): | Honda K; Matsumoto J; Sasaki K; Tsuruta Y; Honda Y; |
| Address: | "Department of Biofunctional Science and Technology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, 739-8528, Japan. cehonda@kamon.ne.jp. Saijo Ecology Institute, 1387-38 Iida, Hachihonmatsu, Higashihiroshima, 739-0141, Japan. cehonda@kamon.ne.jp. Department of Biofunctional Science and Technology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, 739-8528, Japan. Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University, Machida, 194-8610, Japan" |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-018-23917-y |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Certain butterflies utilize plant-acquired alkaloids for their own chemical defense and/or for producing male sex pheromone; a trait known as pharmacophagy. Males of the danaine butterfly, Parantica sita, have been reported to ingest pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) as adults to produce two PA-derived sex pheromone components, viz. danaidone (major) and 7R-hydroxydanaidal. We found, however, that not all PAs that can be precursors for the pheromone serve for mating success of males. Here we show that although the sex pheromone is regarded as a requisite for successful mating, uptake of specific PA(s) (lycopsamine-type PAs) is also imperative for the males to achieve copulation. The increase in the levels of two biogenic amines, octopamine and/or serotonin, in the brain and thoracic ganglia of males fed with specific PA(s) suggested that these alkaloids most likely enhance male mating activity. The results can present new evidence for the evolutionary provenance of pharmacophagous acquisition of PAs in PA-adapted insects" |
| Keywords: | Animals Biological Transport Butterflies/drug effects/*metabolism/physiology *Copulation/drug effects Male Plants/*metabolism Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids/*metabolism Sex Attractants/biosynthesis/pharmacology; |
| Notes: | "MedlineHonda, Keiichi Matsumoto, Junya Sasaki, Ken Tsuruta, Yoshiaki Honda, Yasuyuki eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2018/04/05 Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 3; 8(1):5516. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23917-y" |
