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Volatile components in scent gland secretions of garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.)

Journal of Chemical Ecology volume 21, pages 213–219 (1995)Cite this article

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Abstract

Previous analyses of the scent gland secretions of snakes have focused on the nonvolatile components. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of secretions from North American garter snakes (Thamnophis butleri, T. couchi, T. elegans, T. melanogaster, andT. sirtalis) indicated the following seven major volatile components: acetic, propanoic, 2-methylpropanoic, butanoic, and 3-methylbutanoic acids, trimethylamine, and 2-piperidone. Five or more of these compounds were observed in secretions of select boid, colubrid, pythonid, and viperid snakes, suggesting that they are widespread scent gland products. 3-Methylbutanal also was detected in some snake species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Humboldt State University, 95521, Arcata, California

    William F. Wood & Joshua M. Parker

  2. Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    Paul J. Weldon

  3. Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, 1500 Remount Rd., 22630, Front Royal, Virginia

    Paul J. Weldon

Authors
  1. William F. Wood
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  2. Joshua M. Parker
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  3. Paul J. Weldon
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Wood, W.F., Parker, J.M. & Weldon, P.J. Volatile components in scent gland secretions of garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.). J Chem Ecol 21, 213–219 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02036652

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02036652

Key Words

  • Garter snakes
  • Thamnophis
  • 2-piperidone
  • trimethylamine
  • short-chain carboxylic acids