Avian exocrine secretions. I. Chemical characterization of the volatile fraction of the uropygial secretion of the green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 1603 - 1611
• Main Authors: BURGER, B. V, REITER, B, BORZYK, O, DU PLESSIS, M. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.08.2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aldehydes; Aldehydes - analysis; Alkanes - analysis; Alkenes; Alkenes - analysis; Amines; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Aves; Biological and medical sciences; Birds - physiology; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Disulfides - chemistry; Esters; Exocrine Glands - chemistry; Exocrine Glands - secretion; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas chromatography; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; General aspects; Heterocyclic Compounds - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic - analysis; Ketones - analysis; Mass spectrometry; Odorants; Predators; Predatory Behavior - physiology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Volatilization; Waxes - analysis; Volatile compound; uropygial secretion; Defensive secretion; Defensive behavior; Characterization; Vertebrata; Uropygial gland; Phoeniculus purpureus; Defense mechanism; Exocrine secretion; Aves; avian semiochemicals; Semiochemicals
• ISSN: 0098-0331; 1573-1561
• DOI: 10.1023/b:joec.0000042071.65335.f3

Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in conjunction with auxiliary techniques such as solid phase microextraction and determination of double bond positions by means of dimethyl disulfide derivatization, 45 constituents of the uropygial secretion of the green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus, have been identified. The majority of these constituents are long-chain branched and unbranched alkanes, and (Z)-alkenes such as (Z)-9-tricosene, and a number of unidentified wax esters. The more volatile fraction of the secretion contained short-chain fatty acids, aldehydes, aliphatic and heterocyclic aromatic amines, ketones, and dimethyl sulfides. This group of volatile compounds is responsible for the obnoxious odor of the secretion and also for its defensive action against predators.