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Seasonal Variation in Volatile Compound Profiles of Preen Gland Secretions of the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

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Abstract

Quantitative stir bar sorptive extraction methodology, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and element-specific atomic emission detection (AED) were utilized to analyze seasonal changes in volatile components of preen oil secretions in Junco hyemalis. Juncos were held in long days to simulate breeding conditions, or short days to simulate nonbreeding conditions. Linear alcohols (C10–C18) were the major volatile compounds found in preen oil, and in both sexes their levels were higher when birds were housed on long as opposed to short days. Methylketones were found at lower levels, but were enhanced in both sexes during long days. Levels of 2-tridecanone, 2-tetradecanone, and 2-pentadecanone were also greater on long days, but only in males. Among carboxylic acids (C12, C14, and C16), linear but not branched acids showed some differences between the breeding and nonbreeding conditions, although the individual variation for acidic compounds was large. Qualitatively, more sulfur-containing compounds were found in males than females during the breeding season. Functionally, the large increase in linear alcohols in male and female preen oil during the breeding season may be an indication of altered lipid biosynthesis, which might signal reproductive readiness. Linear alcohols might also facilitate junco odor blending with plant volatiles in the habitat to distract mammalian predators. Some of the volatile compounds from preen oil, including linear alcohols, were also found on the wing feather surface, along with additional compounds that could have been of either metabolic or environmental origin.

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Acknowledgments

This work was jointly sponsored by the METACyt Initiative at Indiana University, and the Lilly Chemistry Alumni Chair funds (to M.V.N.) and the National Science Foundation grant NSF BSC 05-19211, 2005–2008 (to E.D.K.). We thank Mr. Michael Wigen for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Pheromone Research and Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Helena A. Soini, Kevin E. Bruce, Donald Wiesler & Milos V. Novotny

  2. Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 E. Third Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Sara E. Schrock & Ellen D. Ketterson

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  1. Helena A. Soini
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  2. Sara E. Schrock
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Correspondence to Milos V. Novotny.

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Soini, H.A., Schrock, S.E., Bruce, K.E. et al. Seasonal Variation in Volatile Compound Profiles of Preen Gland Secretions of the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). J Chem Ecol 33, 183–198 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-006-9210-0

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