title: Differential olfactory perception of enantiomeric compounds by blind subterranean mole rats (Spalax ehrenbergi).
abstract: The behavior of mole rats (Spalax ehrenbergi) near pairs of enantiomeric compounds was examined in 901 two-choice experimental tests. Positioning of the nest and food store and the preferred location of the tested animal were used to assess attraction or aversion to the tested odorants. The results indicated that mole rats respond differentially to odors of stereoisomers (enantiomers of carvone, citronellol, and fechone). They responded to one enantiomer of each tested pair but were indifferent to or did not smell the other. Both sexes were attracted to the odor of R-(-)-carvone and repelled by the odor of (+)-citronellol. Females were attracted to the odor of (-)-fenchone while males had no preference. By contrast, all animals were indifferent to or did not smell the odor of S-(+)-carvone, (-)-citronellol, and (+)-fenchone. Further research to distinguish between these alternatives (indifference vs hyposmia/anosmia) is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heth
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nevo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ikan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ravid
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000818:Animals; D001892:Camphanes; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009636:Norbornanes / Q000737:chemistry; D012377:Rodentia / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D001892:Camphanes; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009636:Norbornanes; D013729:Terpenes; C027327:fenchone; C006923:carvone; C007078:citronellol