Volatile components in defensive spray of the hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura

J Chem Ecol. 2002 Sep;28(9):1865-70. doi: 10.1023/a:1020573404341.

Abstract

GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura, showed the following seven major components comprised 99% of the volatiles in this secretion: (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, S-(E)-2-butenyl thioacetate, S-3-methylbutenyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol. Minor volatile components identified in this secretion are phenylmethanethiol, S-phenylmethyl thioacetate. S-2-phenylethyl thioacetate, bis[(E)-2-butenyl] disulfide, (E)-2-butenyl 3-methylbutyl disulfide, bis(3-methylbutyl) disulfide, and S-2-quinolinemethyl thioacetate. This secretion is similar to that of the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, differing only in that it contains four compounds not reported from the striped skunk: phenylmethanethiol, S-phenylmethyl thioacetate, 2-phenylethanethiol, and S-2-phenylethyl thioacetate.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Anal Sacs / chemistry
  • Anal Sacs / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Mephitidae*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / analysis*
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds