2026-06-28T09:49:02Zhttps://docta.ucm.es/rest/oai/requestoai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/127752023-08-25T11:37:44Zcom_20.500.14352_14col_20.500.14352_15
Docta Complutense
author
Whitman, Douglas W.
author
Andrés, Maria Fe
author
Martínez Díaz, Rafael A
author
Ibáñez Escribano, Alexandra
author
Olmeda García, Ángeles Sonia
author
Gonzalez-Coloma, Azucena
2023-06-17T12:41:10Z
2023-06-17T12:41:10Z
2019-04-22
2072-6651
10.3390/toxins11040234
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12775
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11040234
Cantharidin (CTD) is a toxic monoterpene produced by blister beetles (Fam. Meloidae) as a chemical defense against predators. Although CTD is highly poisonous to many predator species, some have evolved the ability to feed on poisonous Meloidae, or otherwise beneficially use blister beetles. Great Bustards, Otis tarda, eat CTD-containing Berberomeloe majalis blister beetles, and it has been hypothesized that beetle consumption by these birds reduces parasite load (a case of self-medication). We examined this hypothesis by testing diverse organisms against CTD and extracts of B. majalis hemolymph and bodies. Our results show that all three preparations (CTD and extracts of B. majalis) were toxic to a protozoan (Trichomonas vaginalis), a nematode (Meloidogyne javanica), two insects (Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) and a tick (Hyalomma lusitanicum). This not only supports the anti-parasitic hypothesis for beetle consumption, but suggests potential new roles for CTD, under certain conditions.
eng
Atribución 3.0 España
Antiparasitic Properties of Cantharidin and the Blister Beetle Berberomeloe majalis (Coleoptera: Meloidae)
journal article
URL
https://docta.ucm.es/bitstreams/ca38058b-626b-42d9-a2f6-0f6c126936e4/download
File
MD5
c10eed2cd8f58efc3b8bdf36b5cee3b1
758551
application/pdf
toxins-11-00234-v2.pdf