Abstract
Two novel steroids, 3α,7β-dihydroxy-14β-pregn-4-en-15,20-dione (1) and 3α,7β, 20ξ-trihydroxy-14β-pregn-4-en-15-one (4), have been characterized from the rectal gland ofSilpha novaboracensis (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Judging from the function of comparable pregnanes in another species ofSilpha, the compounds may play an antipredator role.
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References
Jackman, L.M., andSternhell, S. 1969. Applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 241–248.
Meinwald, J., Roach, B., Hicks, K., Alsop, D., andEisner, T. 1985. Defensive steroids from a carrion beetle (Silpha americana).Experientia 41:516–519.
Zaretskii, Z.V. 1976. Mass Spectrometry of Steroids. John Wiley & Sons, New York. p. 28.
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Paper No. 81 of the seriesDefense Mechanisms of Arthropods. Paper No. 80 is Eisner, T., Deyrup, M., Jacobs, R., and Meinwald, J.,J. Chem. Ecol. 12:1407–1415.
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Meinwald, J., Roach, B. & Eisner, T. Defensive steroids from a carrion beetle (Silpha novaboracensis). J Chem Ecol 13, 35–38 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01020349
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01020349