Mustelids

Macerated femora from modern marten Martes martes, an omnivorous mustelid) were cut into pieces, sterilized by irradiation at 25kgy (kilograys)... 

Leonards, P.E.G., S. Broekhuizen, P. de Vogt, N.M. Van Straalen, U.A.T. Brinkman, W.P. Cofino, and B. van Hattum. 1998. Studies of bioaccumulation and biotransformation of PCBs in mustelids based on concentration and congener patterns in predators and preys. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35 654-665. 

Mappes, T., Koskela, E. and Ylonen, H. (1998) Breeding suppression in the bank vole under predation risk of small mustelids laboratory or methodological artifact Oikos 82, 365-369. Moore, L. A. (1995) Giant white-tailed rat. Uromys caudimaculatus. In R. Strahan (Eds.), The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney, pp. 638-640. 

Watts, C. H. S. and Aslin, H. J. (1981) The rodents of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Wolff, J. O. and Davis-Bom, R. (1997) Response of gray-tailed voles to odours of a mustelid predator a field test. Oikos 79, 543-548. 

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. 

A mammal may emit many volatile compounds. Humans, for instance, give off hundreds of volatiles, many of them chemically identified (Ellin etal., 1974). The volatiles include many classes of compound such as acids (gerbil), ketones, lactones, sulfides (golden hamster), phenolics (beaver, elephant), acetates (mouse), terpenes (elephant), butyrate esters (tamarins), among others. The human samples mentioned before contained hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, ketones, aldehydes, esters, nitriles, aromatics, heterocyclics, sulfur compounds, ethers, and halogenated hydrocarbons. Sulfur compounds are found in carnivores, such as foxes, coyotes, or mustelids. The major volatile compound in urine of female coyotes, Canis latrans, is methyl 3-methylhut-3-enyl sulfide, which accounts for at least 50% of all urinary volatiles (Schultz etal, 1988). 

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. 

The search for environmentally benign pest repellents has spawned many experiments with excretions and gland secretions from felids, canids, and mustelids. 

Non-target rodent species in the same forests may escape effects of mustelid sulfur compounds. In British Columbia, densities, survival rates, and reproduction of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, were little affected when these compounds were used against long-tail voles [Microtus longicaudus), meadow voles [Microtus pennsylvanicus), and boreal redback voles [Clethrionomys gappen) (Zimmerling and Sullivan, 1994). 

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). 

The odors of predatory mustelids can be very effective in inhibiting feeding on plants by rodents, lagomorphs, and deer, and, therefore, hold promise... 

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

Sullivan, T. P. and Crump, D. R. (1984). Influence of mustelid scent gland compounds on suppression offeeding by snowshoe hares (Lep (i nenc(in ).JOMrna/( C/je/n/c(iZEcoZcg7 10,1809-1821. 

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). 

In the northeastern woodlands of North America coyotes (and originally wolves), gray and red foxes, mustelids, and nowadays feral dogs and cats are the major predatory mammals. (Other important predators such as great homed owls, or hawks, are not considered here, for obvious reasons). Ground-dwelling small... 

Arboreal mammals, like squirrels, face a greater danger from climbing predators such as mustelids or raccoons than from ground predators such as foxes, coyotes, or wolves. Accordingly, we can compare the responses of squirrels to these two types of carnivores. 

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