Dihydroactinidiolide in the supracaudal scent gland secretion of the red fox

Abstract

IN spite of growing interest in the function of skin glands in mammalian chemical communication1,2, little is known of either the chemical nature or the behavioural significance of the secretion of the supracaudal (tail) scent gland of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). A recent paper3 reports observations concerning the histology and histochemistry of this gland, including findings of unusual fluorescent sebum constituents. In this paper, preliminary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric data are presented indicating the presence of dihydroactinidiolide (I) and related compounds in this secretion and the significance of this finding is discussed. © 1975 Nature Publishing Group.