Scent pronghorn

Keeper substances in a scent secretion, and/or the nature of the substrate such as rock, wood or soil, impart longevity to a scent mark. In our own studies, scent marks of captive pronghorn, A. americana, were still noticeable to the human nose 4 months after all animals had been removed from a pen. Similarly, scent marks of the aardwolf, Proteks cristatus, last for up to 6 months (Apps etal, 1989). 2-Phenoxyethanol in the secretions from the chin gland of the rabbit is typical in dominant animals, serving as a fixative to extend the life of the signal (Hayes etal, 2001). 

Strange as it sounds, the absence of odor often serves as a powerful stimulis unfamiliar and still unmarked objects or areas prompt vigorous scent marking. This applies to many mammals, including ungulates, such as pronghorn, Antilocapra americana (Muller-Schwarze et al, 1972) rodents, such as house mice, Mus musculus (Hurst, 1987), and carnivores (Kleiman, 1966). For example, pine martens, Maries martes, mark most consistently unmarked objects and do not mark objects that already carry their own odor. It is concluded that marking primarily serves familiarization. 

The male pronghorn, A. americana, scent marks his territory with the sub-auricular gland. Among the constituents of the subauricular secretion, isovaleric acid (Fig. 6.15) released the strongest marking responses by pronghorn bucks (Muller-Schwarzeetfl/., 1974). 

FIGURE 6.15 S tructure of isovaleric acid, which stimulates scent marking by male pronghorn. 

Gilbert, B. K. (1973). Scent marking and territoriality in pronghorn [Antilocapra americana) in Yellowstone National Park. Mammalia 37,25-33. 

Moodie, J. D. and Byers, J. A. (1989). The function of scent marking by males on female urine in pronghorns.JoarnaZofMammalogy 70,812-814. 

Millier-Schwarze, D., Miiller-Schwarze, C., and Franklin., W. F. (1972). Factors influencing scent marking in pronghorn [Antilocapra americana). Verhandlungen der Beutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft66,146-150. 

Miiller-Schwarze, D., Miiller-Schwarze, C., Singer, A. G., and Silverstein, R. M. (1974). Mammalian pheromone identiflcation of active compound in the subauricular scent of the male pronghorn. Science 183 860-862. 

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