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Comparative Study
. 1992 Oct 30;258(5083):799-801.
doi: 10.1126/science.1439786.

Homobatrachotoxin in the genus Pitohui: chemical defense in birds?

J P Dumbacher  1 , B M Beehler, T F Spande, H M Garraffo, J W Daly
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Homobatrachotoxin in the genus Pitohui: chemical defense in birds?

J P Dumbacher et al. Science. .

Abstract

Three passerine species in the genus Pitohui, endemic to the New Guinea subregion, contain the steroidal alkaloid homobatrachotoxin, apparently as a chemical defense. Toxin concentrations varied among species but were always highest in the skin and feathers. Homobatrachotoxin is a member of a class of compounds collectively called batrachotoxins that were previously considered to be restricted to neotropical poison-dart frogs of the genus Phyllobates. The occurrence of homobatrachotoxin in pitohuis suggests that birds and frogs independently evolved this class of alkaloids.

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Comment in

  • The taste of birds: Pitohui.
    Pough FH. Pough FH. Science. 1992 Dec 18;258(5090):1867. doi: 10.1126/science.1470904. Science. 1992. PMID: 1470904 No abstract available.
  • The taste of birds: Pitohui!
    Wrangham R. Wrangham R. Science. 1992 Dec 18;258(5090):1867. doi: 10.1126/science.1470905. Science. 1992. PMID: 1470905 No abstract available.
  • Pitohui: how toxic and to whom?
    Glendinning JI. Glendinning JI. Science. 1993 Jan 29;259(5095):582-3. doi: 10.1126/science.8430299. Science. 1993. PMID: 8430299 No abstract available.
  • Smitten by quail.
    Berkowitz DB. Berkowitz DB. Science. 1993 Feb 26;259(5099):1238-9. doi: 10.1126/science.8446889. Science. 1993. PMID: 8446889 No abstract available.

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