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Volatile components in defensive spray of the spotted skunk,Spilogale putorius

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Abstract

GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the spotted skunk,Spilogale putorius, showed three major volatile components: (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, and 2-phenylethanethiol. Minor volatile components identified from this secretion were: phenylmethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline, 2-quinolinemethanethiol, bis[(E)-2-butenyl] disulfide, (E)-2-butenyl 3-methylbufyl disulfide, bis(3-methylbutyl) disulfide. All of these compounds except 2-phenylethanethioi have been identified previously from the striped skunk,Mephitis mephitis. The thioacetate derivativesS- (E)-2-butenyl thioacetate,S-3-methylbutanyl thioacetate, andS-2-quinolinemethyl thioacetate found in the striped skunk were not seen in this species.

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Wood, W.F., Morgan, C.G. & Miller, A. Volatile components in defensive spray of the spotted skunk,Spilogale putorius . J Chem Ecol 17, 1415–1420 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00983773

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00983773

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