A siphonotid millipede (Rhinotus) as the source of spiropyrrolizidine oximes of dendrobatid frogs

J Chem Ecol. 2003 Dec;29(12):2781-6. doi: 10.1023/b:joec.0000008065.28364.a0.

Abstract

Poison frogs of the neotropical family Dendrobatidae contain a wide variety of lipophilic alkaloids, which are accumulated from alkaloid-containing arthropods. A small millipede, Rhinotus purpureus (Siphonotidae), occurs microsympatrically with the dendrobatid frog Dendrobates pumilio on Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro Province, Panamá. Methanol extracts of this millipede contain the spiropyrrolizidine O-methyloxime 236, an alkaloid previously known only from skin extracts of poison frogs, including populations of D. pumilio. Thus, R. purpureus represents a likely dietary source of such alkaloids in dendrobatid frogs.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / pharmacokinetics*
  • Animals
  • Arthropods / chemistry*
  • Diet
  • Ranidae*

Substances

  • Alkaloids