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Science 4 July 1969:
Vol. 165. no. 3888, pp. 61 - 63
DOI: 10.1126/science.165.3888.61
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Articles

Biochemistry at 100°C: Explosive Secretory Discharge of Bombardier Beetles (Brachinus)

Daniel J. Aneshansley 1, Thomas Eisner 2, Joanne M. Widom 3, and Benjamin Widom 3

1 Section of Neurobiology and Behavior and Department of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
2 Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University
3 Department of Chemistry, Cornell University

The defensive chemical spray of bombardier beetles is ejected at 100°C, with a heat content of about 0.2 calorie per milligram.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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C. D. Derby (2007)
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Spray aiming in the bombardier beetle: Photographic evidence.
T. Eisner and D. J. Aneshansley (1999)
PNAS 96, 9705-9709
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Defensive production of formic acid (80%) by a carabid beetle (Galerita lecontei).
C. Rossini, A. B. Attygalle, A. Gonzalez, S. R. Smedley, M. Eisner, J. Meinwald, and T. Eisner (1997)
PNAS 94, 6792-6797
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Defensive spray of the bombardier beetle: a biological pulse jet.
J Dean, D. Aneshansley, H. Edgerton, and T Eisner (1990)
Science 248, 1219-1221
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Spray Aiming in Bombardier Beetles: Jet Deflection by the Coanda Effect.
T. EISNER and D. J. ANESHANSLEY (1982)
Science 215, 83-85
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Allelochemics: Chemical Interactions between Species.
R. H. Whittaker and P. P. Feeny (1971)
Science 171, 757-770
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