Abstract
Lion anal sac secretion were found to be richer in lipids and to contain more complex less uniform mixtures of lower moleculas weight lipids then the anal sac of the red fox. In the lion, homologous series of 1-alkylglycerols and 2-hydroxy-fatty acids were identified. Phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic, and related hydroxylated acids were also observed. Gas-liquid chromatography profiles of fox anal sac secretion lower molecular weight lipids were found to be less variable in their major constituents and to be dominated by relatively few large peaks, mainly (derivatized) fatty acids. Indole was also identified. Free cholesterol, and occasionally, stanols were observed in fox and lion secretions. In the red fox, total cholesterol levels averaged 0.93 mg/g (% free, 56.4), n = 5. Findings are discussed in relation to histological and anatomical similarities and differences between the anal sacs of the lion and the fox and in the context of the role of these secretions in chemical communication.
Highlights
Lion anal sac secretions were found to be richer in lipids and to contain more complex, less uniform mixtures of lower molecular weight lipids than the anal sac secretions of the red fox
Supplementary key words glyceryl ethers . 2-hydroxyalkanoic acids . cholesterol . aromatic acids * indole . scent production chemical communication * gas-liquid chromatography * mass spectrometry of the scent of anal sac secretion is little understood in any carnivore [3,4,5]
Results of the computer-aided gas-liquid chromatography (GLC)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of derivatized lion anal sac secretion extracts are in Tables 1 and 2
Summary
Lion anal sac secretions were found to be richer in lipids and to contain more complex, less uniform mixtures of lower molecular weight lipids than the anal sac secretions of the red fox. Red fox anal sac secretion samples were obtained without sedation from untamed captive animals, Abbreviations: GLC, gas-liquid chromatography; MS, mass spectrometry; TIS, thin-layer chromatography; TMS, trimethylsilyl. Results of the computer-aided GLC-MS analysis of derivatized lion anal sac secretion extracts are in Tables 1 and 2.
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