Communication by scent in some Callitrichidae (Primates) - An interdisciplinary approach

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the South American primate, Saguinus fuscicollis , complex scent marks consisting mainly of the secretions of specialized circumgenital skin glands and some urine communicate the identity of the species, subspecies and individual, its gender, hormonal condition and social status. The volatile constituents of these marks are squalene and a series of butyric acids, comprising 96% (by weight) of the mark, and also a large number of as yet unidentified highly volatile compounds. Monitoring of the relative concentrations of squalene and the butyrate esters in the scent marks of male Saguinus f. fuscicollis and Saguinus f. illigeri demonstrates that the two subspecies show consistent differences in their concentration profiles. The profiles of individual purebred males closely resemble those of the appropriate subspecies while those of hybrids do not. Moreover, the concentration profiles of individual purebred males and hybrids are remarkably constant over long periods of time. Behavioral studies suggest that specific ratios of these compounds may be involved in encoding subspecies specificity. However, synergists from the highly volatile compounds appear to be necessary for complete encoding of the message.