Scent Chemicals of the Tail Gland of the Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes.

Scent Chemicals of the Tail Gland of the Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes. Chem Senses. 2019 Feb 07;: Authors: McLean S, Davies NW, Nichols DS Abstract Like all animals, the red fox uses chemical signals for social communication. The supracaudal or tail gland smells of violets, attributed to the presence of carotenoid degradation products, or apocarotenoids, which commonly occur as aromatics in flowers. We have more fully characterised the scent chemistry of the fox tail gland. Volatile chemicals were analysed by GC-MS and identified from their electron ionisation mass spectra and Kovats retention indices. The three previously reported apocarotenoids were confirmed, and many additional compounds found. These include the apocarotenoids β-cyclocitral, β-homocitral, β-ionone, cyclic β-ionone, β-ionone-5,6-epoxide, α-ionene, α-ionone, 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexanone (IUPAC 2,2,6-), 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone), and geranyl acetone. Notably, sulcatone is a semiochemical in several species. 3,3-Dimethyl-2,7-octanedione was identified as a probable apocarotenoid which is likely to be a significant fox scent chemical. The γ-lactone of 4-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (hexadecan-4-olide) was also found, one of a group of known mammalian signalling compounds. This rich mixture of volatile apocarotenoids implies an adequate consumption of plant carotenoids, which are known to be necessary for optimal health. Die...
Source: Chemical Senses - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Chem Senses Source Type: research