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Composition of uropygial gland secretions of birds of prey

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Lipids

Abstract

The chemical composition of the uropygial gland secretion of five species of birds of prey was investigated by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique, and the results are discussed from the chemotaxonomical point of view. The secretion is a complex mixture of monoester waxes, the fatty acids of which are mainly dimethyl-branched, with the first substituent in 2 position and the other near the methyl end of the molecule. Mono-, trimethyl-, and unbranched fatty acids also are observed. The wax alcohols are mainly mono- and dimethyl-substituted. Unbranched alcohols and traces of trimethyl-substituted alcohols also were detected. Chemotaxonomically, the birds of prey differ from all orders hitherto investigated. The degree of substitution increases from theFalconidae to theAccipitridae.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemisches Institut für Umweltcarcinogene, Sieker Landstraße 19, West Germany

    Jürgen Jacob & Jens Poltz

Authors
  1. Jürgen Jacob
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  2. Jens Poltz
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Jacob, J., Poltz, J. Composition of uropygial gland secretions of birds of prey. Lipids 10, 1–8 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02532185

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02532185

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