Abstract
In conjoining the disciplines of “ethology” and “chemistry” the field of “Ethochemistry” has been instituted. Ethochemistry is an effective tool in conservation efforts of endangered species and the understanding of behavioral patterns across all species. Chemical constituents of scent-markings have an important, yet poorly understood function in territoriality, reproduction, dominance, and impact on evolutionary biology, especially in large mammals. Particular attention has recently been focused on scent-marking analysis of great cats (Kalahari leopards (Panthera pardus), puma (Puma concolor) snow leopard (Panthera uncia), African lions (Panthera leo), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and tigers (Panthera tigris)) for the purpose of conservation. Sensory analyses of scent-markings could address knowledge gaps in ethochemistry. The objective of this review is to summarize the current state-of-the art of both the chemical and sensory analyses of scent-markings in wild mammals. Specific focus is placed on sampling and sample preparation, chemical analysis, sensory analysis, and simultaneous chemical and sensory analyses. Constituents of exocrine and endocrine secretions have been most commonly studied with chromatography-based analytical separations. Odor analysis of scent-markings provides an insight into the animal's sensory perception. A limited number of articles have been published in the area of sensory characterization of scent marks. Simultaneous chemical and sensory analyses with chromatography-olfactometry hyphenation could potentially aid conservation efforts by linking perceived odor, compounds responsible for odor, and resulting behavior.
Highlights
This review provides an overall perspective of literature on the subject of chemical and sensory analysis of large wild mammals, great cats, scent-markings
―analytical techniques‖, ―large mammals‖, ―pheromones‖, and ―marking fluid.‖ Articles selected for this review focused on the use of modern analytical techniques to identify and/or quantify chemical compounds detected in scent-markings of large wild mammals and great cats for the purpose of sensory and chemical identification, conservation, behavioral understanding, and evaluation of sampling and sample preparation effectiveness
Assessment of the identified studies for relevance was based on a standardized criterion developed by all co-authors: (1) the focal animal reported was a large wild mammal; (2) analytical techniques were utilized for chemical identification of scent marks; (3) sample preparation was defined; (4) the articles were peer-reviewed; (5) if sensory analysis was performed the method needed to be clearly defined; and (6) the co-authors had no objections, such as quality or topic focus of the articles
Summary
To understand the ways in which animals interpret chemical messages, sampling, sample preparation, and chemical and sensory analysis must be performed to accurately define the odors and concentrations of chemicals within the signal. This developing field is limited in the scope of information available about chemosensory analysis of wild animal markings. Development in the area of sampling and analysis of semiochemicals aids in understanding animal behavior that can be used, for example, toward efforts such as conservation of great cats
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