Uropygial gland lipids of penguins

Abstract

The uropygial gland secretion of penguins (Sphenisciformes) is a complex mixture of monoester waxes. The wax fatty acids of Pygoscelis and Eudyptes are predominantly 3-methyl- and 3, x-dimethyl-substituted, whereas 2- and 4-monomethyl-, or 2, x-as well as 4, x-dimethyl-substituted acids predominate in the case of Spheniscus. The wax alcohols are very similar within all three species and are mainly composed of mono- and dimethyl-substituted compounds with branches predominantly in the middle or near the methyl end of the carbon chain. From these data, it is concluded that, chemotaxonomically, the penguins are closely related to the tubenoses (Procellariiformes).