Evaluating the functional, sexual and seasonal variation in the chemical constituents from feces of adult Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus)
Chemical signals deposited in feces play an important role in intraspecifc and interspecifc communication of many mammals. We collected fresh feces of adult wolves from wild breeding groups. All samples visually identifed as belonging to wolves were subsequently identifed to species level by sequenc...
| Published in: | Scientific Reports |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2023
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/308743 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33883-9 |
| Summary: | Chemical signals deposited in feces play an important role in intraspecifc and interspecifc communication of many mammals. We collected fresh feces of adult wolves from wild breeding groups. All samples visually identifed as belonging to wolves were subsequently identifed to species level by sequencing a small fragment of mtDNA and sexed typing DBX6 and DBY7 sex markers. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), we identifed 56 lipophilic compounds in the feces, mainly heterocyclic aromatic organic compounds, such as indole or phenol, but also steroids, such as cholesterol, carboxylic acids and their esters between n-C4 and n-C18, aldehydes, alcohols and signifcant quantities of squalene and α-tocopherol, which would increase the chemical stability of feces on humid substrates. There was variability in the number and proportions of compounds between sexes, which could be indicative of their function as chemical signals. We also found variability in diferent reproductive states, especially in odorous compounds, steroids and α-tocopherol. Feces with a presumed marking function had higher proportions of α-tocopherol and steroids than feces with non-marking function. These compounds could be involved in intragroup and intergroup communication of wolves and their levels in feces could be directly related with the wolf’s sex and physiological and reproductive status. Financial support was provided by the project MCI-CGL2008-02119/BOS. Peer reviewed |
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