Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Semiochemicals and Social Signaling in the Wild European Rabbit in Australia: II. Variations in Chemical Composition of Chin Gland Secretion Across Sampling Sites

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The volatile components of the chin gland secretion of the wild European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), were investigated with the use of gas chromatography. Studies of the chemical nature of this secretion by previous workers demonstrated that it was important in the maintenance of social structure in this species. This study identified 34 different volatile components that consist primarily of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Especially common are a series of alkyl-substituted benzene derivatives that provide most of the compound diversity in the secretion. Samples of chin gland secretion collected from animals at three different geographical locations, separated by more than 100 km, showed significant differences in composition. This work suggests that variation among populations needs to be considered when undertaking semiochemical research. Alternate nonparametric methods are also used for the analysis of chromatographic data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Apps, P. J., Rasa, A., and Viljoen, H. W. 1988. Quantitative chromatographic profiling of odours associated with dominance in male laboratory mice. Aggres. Behav. 14:451–461.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belcher, A. M., Smith A. B., Jurs, P. C., Laine, B., and Epple, G. 1986. Analysis of chemical signals in a primate species (Saguinus fuscicollis): Use of behavioral, chemical and pattern recognition methods. J. Chem. Ecol. 12:513–531.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, D. J. 1981. Chemical communication in the European rabbit: urine and social status, pp. 271–279, in K. Myers and C. D. MacInnes (eds.). Proceedings of the World Lagomorph Conference, Guelph 1979. University of Guelph Press, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black-Cleworth, P. and Verberne, G. 1975. Scent-marking, dominance and flehmen behaviour in domestic rabbits in an artificial laboratory territory. Chem. Sens. Flav. 1:165–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. E., MacIntosh Schellinck, H., and West, A. M. 1996. The influence of dietary and genetic cues on the ability of rats to discriminate between the urinary odors of MHC-congenic mice. Physiol. Behav. 60:365–372.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brownlee, R. G., Silverstein, R. M., MÜller-Schwarze, D., and Singer, A. G. 1969. Isolation, dentification and function of the chief component of the male tarsal scent in blacktailed deer. Nature 221:284–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cantoni, D., Favre, L., Tencalla, F., Croset, P., Morgenthaler, F., Camarda, G., Ruchet, C., Rivier, L., and Vogel, P. 1996. Intra-and Interindividual variation in flank gland secretions of free-ranging shrews Crociduna russula. J. Chem. Ecol. 22:1669–1688.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K. R. and Warwick, R. M., 1994a. Similarity-based testing for community patterns: the two-way layout with no replication. Mar. Biol. 118:167–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K. R. and Warwick, R.M. 1994b. Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudzinski, M. L. 1974. Principal components analysis and its use in hypothesis generation and multiple regression. pp. 85–105, in V. J. Bofinger and J. L. Wheeler (eds.). Developments in Field Experiment Design and Analysis. The Alden Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudzinski, M. L., Chimura, J. T., and Edwards, C.B.H. 1975. Repeatability of principal components in analysis: normal and non-normal data sets compared. Multivar. Behav. Res. 10:109–117.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eggert, F., HÖller, C., Luszzyk, D., MÜller-Ruchholtz, W., and Ferstl, R. 1996. MHCassociated and MHC-independent urinary chemosignals in mice. Physiol. Behav. 59:57–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • GonzÁlez-Mariscal, G., Melo, A. I., Zavala, A., Chirino, R., and Beyer, C. 1993. Sex steroid regulation of chin-marking behavior in male New Zealand rabbits. Physiol. Behav. 54:1035–1040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich, B. S. 1983. Studies of the chemical composition of secretions from skin glands of the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, pp. 275–290, in D. Müller-Schwarze and R. M. Silverstein (eds.). Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 3. Plenum Press, New York.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich, B. S. and Mykytowycz, R. 1972. Individual and sex differences in the chemical composition of pheromone-like substances from the skin glands of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. J. Mammal 53:540–548.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, R. A., Richardson, B., J., and Wyllie, S. G. 2001. Increased social dominance in male rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, is associated with increased secretion of 2-phenoxy ethanol from the chin gland, pp. 335–342, in A. Marchlewska-Koj, J. J. Lepri, and D. Müller-Scwarze (eds.). Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 9. Plenum/Kluwer Press, New York.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, R. A., Richardson, B. J., and Wyllie, S. G. 2002. Semiochemicals and social signalling in the wild European rabbit in Australia. I. Scent profiles of chin gland secretion from the field. J. Chem Ecol. 28:347–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jemiolo, B., Xie, T-M., Andreolini, F., Baker, A. E. M., and Novotny, M. 1991. The t complex of the mouse: chemical characterization by urinary volatile profiles. J. Chem. Ecol. 17: 353–367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kryger, L. 1981. Interpretation of analytical chemical information by pattern recognition methods—a survey. Talanta 28:871–887.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, R. E., Putman, R. J., and Fielding, A.H. 2000. Individual signatures in scent gland secretions of Eurasian deer. J. Zool. London 251:399–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MÜller-Schwarze, D. 1972. Social significance of forehead rubbing in blacktailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). Anim. Behav. 20:788–797.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. 1966a. Observations on odoriferous and other glands in the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and the hare, Lepus europaeus P. I. The anal gland. CSIROWildl. Res. 11:11–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. 1966b. Observations on odoriferous and other glands in the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and the hare, Lepus europaeus P. II. The inguinal glands. CSIRO Wildl. Res. 11:49–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. 1966c. Observations on odoriferous and other glands in the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and the hare, Lepus europaeus P. III. Harder's, lachrymal and submandibullar glands. CSIRO Wildl. Res. 11:65–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. 1968. Territorial marking by rabbits. Sci. Am. 218:116–126.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. and Dudzinski, M. L. 1966. A study of the weight of odoriferous and other glands in relation to social status and degree of sexual activity in the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). CSIRO Wildl. Res. 11:31–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. and Gambale, S. 1969. The distribution of dung-hills and the behaviour of freeliving wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), on them Forma Funct. 1:333–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mykytowycz, R. and Hesterman, E. R. 1975. An experimental study of aggression in captive European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), with appendix on method of multivariate analysis of data by Dudzinski, M. L., and Edwards, C. B. H. Behavior 52:104–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Natynczuk, S. E. and Macdonald, D.W. 1994. Analysis of rat haunch odor using dynamic solvent effect and principal components analysis. J. Chem. Ecol. 21:941–957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novotny, M., Jemiolo, B., and Harvey, S. 1990. Chemistry of rodent pheromones: molecular insights into chemical signalling in mammals, pp. 1–22, in D. W. MacDonald, D. Müuller-Schwarze, and S. E. Natynczuk (eds.), Chemical Signals inVertebrates 5. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrin, T. E., Rasmussen, L. E. L., Gunawardena, R., and Rasmussen, R. A. 1996. A method for collection, long-term storage, and bioassay of labile volatile chemosignals. J. Chem. Ecol. 22:207–221.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, S., Zenger, K. R., and Richardson, B. J. 2002. Are Sydney rabbits different? Aust. Zool. 32.

  • Price, E. C. and Feistner, A. T. C. 1994. Responses of captive aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) to the scent of conspecifics: a preliminary investigation. Folia Primatol. 62:170–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, L. E. L., Lee, T. D., Roelofs, W. L., Zhang, A., and Davies, G. D., Jr. 1996. Insect pheromone in elephants. Nature 379:1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymer, J., Wiesler, D., Novotny, M., Asa, C., Seal, U. S., and Mech, L. D. 1986. Chemical scent constituents in urine of wolf (Canis lupus) and their dependence on reproductive hormones. J. Chem. Ecol. 12:297–314.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, B. J. 1981. The genetic structure of rabbit populations pp. 37–52, in K. Myers and C. D. MacInnes (eds). Proceedings World Lagomorph Conference Guelph 1979. Guelph University Press, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, P. R. K. 1991. Territorial significance of scent marking during the non-mating season in the aardwolf Proteles cristatus (Carnivora: Protelidae). Ethology 87:9–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salamon, M. 1994. Seasonal, sexual and dietary induced variations in the sternal scent secretion in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), pp. 211–222, in R. Apfellbach, D. Müuller-Scwarze, K. Reutier, and E. Weiber (eds.). Chemical Signals in Vertebrates VII. Pergamon Press. Oxford, United Kingdom.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salamon, M. and Davies, N. W. 1998. Identification and variation of volatile compounds in sternal gland secretions of male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). J. Chem. Ecol. 24:1659–1676.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schultze, T. E., Flath, R. A., Stern, D. J., Mon, T. R., Teranishi, R., McKenna Kruse, S., Butler, B., and Howard, W. E. 1988. Coyote estrous volatiles. J. Chem. Ecol. 14:701–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. B., Belcher, A. M., Epple, G., Jurs, P. C., and Laine, B. 1985. Computerised pattern recognition: a new technique for the analysis of chemical communication. Science 228:175–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, P. D., Bonesi, L., and MacDonald, D.W., 1999. Individual differences in den maintenance effort in a communally dwelling mammal: the Eurasian badger. Anim. Behav. 57:153–161.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stodart, E. and Parer, I. 1988. Colonisation of Australia by the Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology. Project Report No. 6. Canberra.

  • Thiessen, D. D., Reigner, F. E., Rice, M., Goodwin, M., Isaacks., N., and Lawson, N. 1974. Identification of a Ventral scent marking pheromone in the male Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Science 184: 83–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verberne, G. and Blom, F. 1981. Scentmarking, dominance and territorial behaviour in male domestic rabbits, pp. 280–290, in K. Myers and C. D. MacInnes (eds). Proceedings World Lagomorph Conference Guelph 1979. University of Guelph Press, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarger, R. G., Smith, A. B., III, Preti, G., and Epple, G. 1977. The major volatile constituents of the scent mark of a South American primate Saguinus fuscicollis, Callithricidae. J. Chem. Ecol. 3:45–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zenger, K. R. 1996. The genetic variation and evolution of the mitochondrial DNA non-coding region in Australian wild rabbit populations [Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)]. Master of science (honours) thesis. University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Locked bag 1797, Penrith South Delivery Centre, New South Wales, 1797, Australia

    R. A. Hayes, B. J. Richardson, S. C. Claus & S. G. Wyllie

Authors
  1. R. A. Hayes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. J. Richardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. C. Claus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. G. Wyllie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. A. Hayes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hayes, R.A., Richardson, B.J., Claus, S.C. et al. Semiochemicals and Social Signaling in the Wild European Rabbit in Australia: II. Variations in Chemical Composition of Chin Gland Secretion Across Sampling Sites. J Chem Ecol 28, 2613–2625 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021452623055

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021452623055

Search

Navigation