Inhibiting Effects of Myrmicacin and Homologous Compounds on Cleavage of Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus Eggs

Abstract

Carboxylic acids containing 7 C or more such as enanthic, caprylic, pelargonic and .beta.-hydroxydecanoic acids inhibited cleavage of H. pulcherrimus eggs at a concentration of 200 ppm. Decan-3-ol, in which the carboxyl group is replaced with the methyl group, had no inhibiting effect. .beta.-hydroxydecanoic acid (myrmicacin) [from Atta sexdens] had a strong inhibiting effect that was almost completely reversed by transfer of the eggs to a medium lacking the acid after a limited period of exposure.