Mustelid anal

There is strong evidence that sulfur compounds in urine and feces signal predator to prey species (Nolte et al. 1994). The major compounds in mustelid anal gland that repel small rodents are sulfur compounds such as sulfides, thiols, thie-tanes, or dithiolanes. These compounds have been used to deter rodent pests (e.g. Sullivan et al. 1988). 

Thomomys talpoides) to Mustelid Anal Gland Compounds... 

AVOIDANCE RESPONSE OF POCKET GOPHERS (THOMOMYS TALPOIDES) TO MUSTELID ANAL GLAND COMPOUNDS... 

Experiment B. To provide a somewhat more direct test of gopher avoidance of mustelid anal gland compounds, a capillary tube with one or more compounds was attached (by a plastic twist-tie) to the treadle of the tunnel of each Longworth trap during regular trapping periods. The open end of the... 

Fig. 3. Avoidance behavior responses ("capture" in live-traps) of pocket gophers to mustelid anal gland compounds and a novel odor in the laboratory bioassay arena. p < 0.05 p < 0.01 significant difference by chi-square. + p = 0.75 ...

This study has demonstrated that certain mustelid anal gland compounds will produce an avoidance response by pocket gophers in both laboratory and field environments. As discussed for snowshoe hares (Sullivan and Crump, 1984), this biological activity is presumably a fear response by gophers to one or more components of mustelid (predator) anal gland odor. 

Sullivan, T.P. D.R. Crump. 1986. Avoidance of pocket gophers Thomomys talapoides) to mustelid anal gland compounds. In Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4, Ecology, Evolution, and Comparative Biology, eds. D. Duvall, D. Muller-Schwarze R.M. Silverstein, pp. 514-531, Plenum, New York. 

Other anal sac constituents which are commonly encountered products of microbial activity include trimethylamine, noted in the anal sac secretions of the red fox (42), coyote and domestic dog [36), and the aromatic acids phenylacetic acid and 3-phenyl-propionic acid (and related phenolic acids), together with the diamines putrescine and cadaverine as well as ammonia in the anal sac secretions of the red fox and the lion (25,29,35). Indole has also been noted. The lower molecular weight lipids of lion anal sac secretion include many substances expected as hydrolysis products of sebaceous lipids (2. Red fox anal sac secretion also exhibits an anomalous free amino-acid composition with 5-aminovaleric acid predominating ( ). The possibility that the sulfur-containing volatiles present in mustelid anal sac secretions are of microbial origin is at present under investigation in our laboratories. 

Only a few compounds or mixtures of compounds have been shown beyond doubt to be mammalian pheromones. This is the main reason why the subject matter of this chapter is not restricted to pheromones and why exocrine secretions and other mammalian excretions in general will be discussed as possible sources of pheromones, even though their role in the chemical communication of the species under discussion has not yet been established. Feeding deterrents are not discussed. In general defensive secretions are also not discussed, but the anal sac secretions of the mustelids are included, because it is possible that these secretions could also fulfill a semiochemical role, in addition to being used for defense. 

After a secretion has been produced, it can be stored for later use or even accumulated for massive or repeated signals. Anal sacs of canids, mustelids, and felids, and the castor sacs of beaver are examples. The skunk provides the most dramatic example for such reservoirs with large amounts of often very potent secretions. We do not understand well if and how the various compounds are transformed in these reservoirs. 

Mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa, a primitive rodent from northwestern North America, fed less from food bowls if the rim was scented with mink anal gland secretion, or urine from mink, bobcat, coyote, or dog. The control odors butyric acid or guinea pig urine had no effect (Epple et fl/., 1993). Mountain beaver did not respond significantly to mustelid sulfur compounds though, yet these deter other small mammals (Epple etal, 1993). 

Brinck, C., Erlinge, S., and Sandell, M. (1983). Anal sac secretion in mustelids a comparison. Journal of Chemical Ecology 9,727-746. 

We would expect that examination of the anal sacs of other mustelids would reveal similar but not necessarily identical low molecular weight sulfur compounds. The quantity and nature of the scent should correlate with its use by the animal. In addition, a knowledge of how these compounds are produced might provide some insight into the taxonomic relationship among mustelids... 

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