Abstract
The occurrence in the anal region of odoriferous gland secretions which, either on their own or in combination with feces, function for behavioral purposes has been reported in a number of mammalian species. In the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, the territorial function of the secretion from anal glands and feces has been studied particularly intensively (Mykytowycz, 1970), and ethological enquiries have been backed by chemical investigation (Goodrich et al., 1978, 1981a, 1981b).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Albone, E. S., 1984, “Mammalian Semiochemistry,” John Wiley and Sons Limited, New York.
Albone, E. S., and Fox, M. W., 1971, Anal gland secretion of the red fox, Nature, 233: 569.
Archer, J., 1973, Tests for emotionality in rats and mice, Anim. Behav, 21: 205.
Bronson, F. H., 1971, Rodent pheromones, Biol. Reprod, 1: 344.
Bronson, F. H., 1979, The reproductive ecology of the house mouse, Q. Rev. Biol, 54: 265.
Bronson, F. H., and Caroom, D., 1971, Preputial gland of the male mouse: Attractant function, J. Reprod. Fert, 25: 279.
Desjardins, C., Maruniak, J. A., and Bronson, F. H., 1973, Social rank in the house mouse: Differentiation revealed by ultraviolet visualisation of urinary marking patterns, Science, 182: 939.
Eibl-Eibesfeldt, I., 1950, Beiträge zur Biologie der Haus- und der Ährenmaus nebst einigen Beobachtungen an anderen Nagern, Z. Tierpsychol, 7: 558.
Goodrich, B. S., Hesterman, E. R., Murray, K. E., Mykytowycz, R., Stanley, G., and Sugowdz, G., 1978, Identification of behaviorally significant volatile compounds in the anal gland of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, J. Chem. Ecol, 4: 581.
Goodrich, B. S., Hesterman, E. R., Shaw, K. S., and Mykytowycz, R., 1981a, Identification of some volatile compounds in the odor of fecal pellets of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, J. Chem Ecol, 7: 813.
Goodrich, B. S., Hesterman, E. R., and Mykytowycz, R., 1981b, Effect of volatiles collected above fecal pellets on behavior of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, tested in an experimental chamber. II. Gas chromatographic fractionation of trapped volatiles, J. Chem. Ecol, 7: 947.
Hesterman, E. R., Goodrich, B. S., and Mykytowycz, R., 1981, Effect of volatiles collected above fecal pellets on behavior of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, tested in an experimental chamber. I. Total volatiles and some chemically prepared fractions, J. Chem. Ecol, 7: 795.
Hummel, K. P., Richardson, F. L., and Fekete, E., 1966, Anatomy, in: “Biology of the Laboratory Mouse,” E. L. Green, ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Jones, R. B., and Nowell, N. W., 1973, The coagulating glands as a source of aversive and aggression-inhibiting pheromone(s) in the male albino mouse, Physiol. Behav, 11: 455.
Maruniak, J. A., Owen, K., Bronson, F. H., and Desjardins, C., 1974, Urinary marking in male house mice: Responses to novel environmental and social stimuli, Physiol. Behav, 12: 1035.
Mykytowycz, R., 1968, Territorial marking in rabbits, Sci. Amer, 218: 116.
Mykytowycz, R., 1970, The role of skin glands in mammalian communication, In: “Advances in Chemoreception, Vol. I, Communication by Chemical Signals,” J. W. Johnston, D. G. Moulton, and A. Turk, eds., Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.
Mykytowycz, R., Hesterman, E. R., Gambale, S. and Dudzinski, M. L., 1976, A comparison of the effectiveness of the odors of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in enhancing territorial confidence, J. Chem. Ecol, 2: 13.
Preti, G., Muetterties, E. L., Furman, J. M., Kennelly, J. J. and Johns, B. E., 1976, Volatile constituents of dog (Canis familiaris) and coyote (Canis latrans) anal sacs, J. Chem. Ecol, 2: 177.
Redhead, T. D., 1982, Reproduction, growth, and population dynamics of house mice in irrigated and non-irrigated cereal farms in New South Wales, Ph.D. Thesis, Australian National University.
Welch, J. F., 1953, Formmation of urinating “posts” by house mice (Mus) held under restricted conditions, J. Mammal, 34: 502.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Goodrich, B.S., Gambale, S., Pennycuik, P.R., Redhead, T.D. (1986). Behavioral Function and Chemistry of Volatiles from Feces and Anal Secretions of House Mice, Mus musculus - A Preliminary Report. In: Duvall, D., Müller-Schwarze, D., Silverstein, R.M. (eds) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2235-1_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2235-1_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9310-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2235-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive