Atta cephalotes as a bioassay tool to identify the presence of polar secondary compounds in medicinal plants of Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2007

Alternative Title

Atta cephalotes como una herramienta de bioensayo para identificar la presencia de compuestos polares secundarios en plantas medicinales de Monteverde, Costa Rica

Creator

John Thurston

Files

Publication Date

May 2007

Abstract

Atta cephalotes has shown potential as a bioassay tool for antifungal characteristics of medicinal plants (Hubbel, et al. 1983). This experiment tests a variety of plants with differing secondary compounds to explore further uses of A. cephalotes as a bioassay tool. A polar solvent was used to make crude extractions of twelve different medicinal plants to test the preference of Atta for the extract compared to a control. It was predicted that A. cephalotes would show a negative preference towards plants with antifungal compounds. However, negative preference for Brugmansia suaveolens, a plant with no known antifungal compounds, deterred A. cephalotes the most.

Resumen

Atta cephalotes ha mostrado potencial como una herramienta de bioensayo para las características anti-hongos de las plantas medicinales (Hubbel, et al. 1983). Este experimento prueba una variedad de plantas con diferentes compuestos secundarios para explorar los usos adicionales de A. cephalotes como herramientas de bioensayo.

Keywords

Atta (Insects), Biological assay, Leaf-cutting ants, CIEE Spring 2007

Palabras claves

Atta (Insectos), Ensayo biológico, Zompopas, CIEE Primavera 2007

Extent

6 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00378

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Thurston, John, "Atta cephalotes as a bioassay tool to identify the presence of polar secondary compounds in medicinal plants of Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2007" (2007). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 43.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/43