Abstract

The uropygial gland of birds produces secretions that are important in maintaining the health and structural integrity of feathers. Non-volatile components of uropygial secretions are believed to serve a number of functions including waterproofing and conditioning the feathers. Volatile components have been characterized in fewer species, but are particularly interesting because of their potential importance in olfactory interactions within and across species. We used solid-phase microextraction headspace sampling with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect and identify volatiles in uropygial secretions of gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), a North American migratory bird. We consistently detected the following carboxylic acids: acetic, propanoic, 2-methylpropanoic, butanoic, and 3-methylbutanoic. We tested for the effect of lengthened photoperiod and/or exogenous testosterone on volatile signal strength and found a negative effect of lengthened photoperiod on the signal strength of propanoic, 2-methylpropanoic, and butanoic acids, suggesting a trade-off between their production and heightened night-time activity associated with lengthened photoperiod. Signal strength of propanoic and 2-methylpropanoic acids was lower in birds treated with exogenous testosterone than in birds treated with placebos. Sex did not affect signal strength of any of the volatile compounds.

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

7-1-2010

Publication Title

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2010.03.005

Notes

Record for R. Whelan. Additional record for M. Garvin: https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/faculty_schol/3700/

Keywords

Chemical ecology, Carboxylic acids, Dumetella carolinensis, Gas chromatographymass spectrometry, Gray catbird, Solid-phase microextraction, Static headspace sampling, Uropygial gland, Volatile organic compounds

Document Version

post-print

Language

English

Format

text

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