Lizard Epidermal Gland Secretions I: Chemical Characterization of the Femoral Gland Secretion of the Sungazer, Cordylus giganteus

Louw, Stefan; Burger, B. V.; Roux, Marié; Wyk, J.H. van

doi:10.1007/s10886-007-9348-4

Cited by 39 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The same classes of compounds were found in another lacertid lizard, Lacerta monticola cyreni (López and Martin 2005b). In the girdled lizard or sungazer, Cordylus giganteus, carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, esters, and steroids occurred in both males and females (Louw et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Scent marking pheromones in lizards: cholesterol and long chain alcohols elicit avoidance and aggression in male Acanthodactylus boskianus (Squamata: Lacertidae)

2011

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Femoral gland secretions are believed to play an important role in chemical communication and social organization of lizards. In spite of this, few studies have investigated the chemical composition and the behavioural roles of these secretions. The lacertid lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus is a good example, having these welldeveloped glands in both sexes. We used GC-MS chemical analysis of gland secretions and y-maze choice test bioassays to investigate the ability of the lizards to detect and respond to different synthetic blends made from compounds identified in the gland secretions. Based upon the GC-MS quantification data, we selected representatives of the main chemical groups (steroids, alcohols, acids, alkanes) detected in the lizard secretions and used these in a behavioural bioassay against controls. Males showed significant avoidance behaviour for cholesterol and alcohol blends, combined with agonistic behaviour towards these stimuli. Females did not show any significant selection to particular odour combinations. The data support the hypotheses that lizards can potentially use femoral gland secretions in chemical odour trails and utilize scent to mark territories and potentially also to establish dominance hierarchies. Cholesterol and long chain alcohols are suggested as potential candidates functioning as scent marking pheromones in A. boskianus.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Scent marking pheromones in lizards: cholesterol and long chain alcohols elicit avoidance and aggression in male Acanthodactylus boskianus (Squamata: Lacertidae)

2011

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“…However, the chemical composition of femoral gland secretions has been analysed in only a few lizard species (reviewed in Weldon et al, 2008). Most information relates to European lizards of the family Lacertidae (López and Martín, 2005b, c, 2006López, 2006b, c, 2010b;Gabirot el al., 2008;Kopena et al, 2009), American lizards of the families Iguanidae (Weldon et al, 1990;Alberts et al, 1992) and Liolaemidae (Escobar et al, 2001(Escobar et al, , 2003, and an African cordylid lizard (Louw et al, 2007). However, there are many lizard species within other taxonomic lineages and geographical areas that have femoral pores with abundant secretions, which have never been chemically analysed, in spite of secretions being often related to chemical communication (see reviews by Weldon et al, 2008;Mason and Parker, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Constituents of the Femoral Gland Secretions of Male Tegu Lizards (Tupinambis merianae) (Family Teiidae)

Martı́n

Chamut

Manes

et al. 2011

Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C

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In spite of the importance of chemical signals (pheromones) in the reproductive behaviour of lizards, the chemical compounds secreted by their femoral glands, which may be used as sexual signals, are only known for a few lizard species. Based on mass spectra, obtained by GC-MS, we found 49 lipophilic compounds in femoral gland secretions of male tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae) (fam. Teiidae), including a very high proportion of carboxylic acids and their esters ranging between n-C 8 and n-C 20 (mainly octadecanoic and 9,12-octadecadienoic acids), with much less proportions of steroids, tocopherol, aldehydes, and squalene. We discuss the potential function of these compounds in secretions, and compare the compounds found here with those documented for other lizard species.

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“…Both, the similar microhabitats and the close phylogenetic relationship between these two green lizards may explain the presence of large amounts of α-tocopherol in the secretions. α-Tocopherol was also found, although in much less amounts (between 0.1 and 1.9%), in femoral secretions of the European lacertid, but unrelated, lizards Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus, Podarcis muralis and Lacerta vivipara (López and Martín, 2005b;Martín and López, 2006b, c;Gabirot et al, 2008), and also in the South African cordylid, Cordylus giganteus (Louw et al, 2007). Furthermore, other unrelated reptiles such as amphisbaenians and crocodiles also have α-tocopherol in their glandular secretions (López and Martín, 2005c;Weldon et al, 1987Weldon et al, , 1988.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Lipophilic Compounds from the Femoral Gland Secretions of Male Hungarian Green Lizards, Lacerta viridis

Kopena

López

Martı́n

2009

Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C

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In spite of the importance of chemical signals (pheromones) in the reproductive behaviour of lizards, only a few studies have examined the role of specifi c chemical compounds as sexual signals. The secreted chemicals vary widely between species but whether this variation refl ects phylogenetic or environmental differences remains unclear. Based on mass spectra, obtained by GC-MS, we found 40 lipophilic compounds in femoral gland secretions of male green lizards (Lacerta viridis), including several steroids, α-tocopherol, and esters of n-C 16 to n-C 20 carboxylic acids, and minor components such as alcohols between C 12 and C 20 , squalene, three lactones and one ketone. We compared these chemicals with those previously found in other closely related green lizard species, and discussed how phylogenetical differences and/or environmental conditions could be responsible for the differential presence of chemicals in different lizard species.

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Lizard Epidermal Gland Secretions I: Chemical Characterization of the Femoral Gland Secretion of the Sungazer, Cordylus giganteus

Cited by 39 publications

References 25 publications

Scent marking pheromones in lizards: cholesterol and long chain alcohols elicit avoidance and aggression in male Acanthodactylus boskianus (Squamata: Lacertidae)

Scent marking pheromones in lizards: cholesterol and long chain alcohols elicit avoidance and aggression in male Acanthodactylus boskianus (Squamata: Lacertidae)

Chemical Constituents of the Femoral Gland Secretions of Male Tegu Lizards (Tupinambis merianae) (Family Teiidae)

Lipophilic Compounds from the Femoral Gland Secretions of Male Hungarian Green Lizards, Lacerta viridis

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