Lipophilic compounds from the femoral gland secretions of male Hungarian green lizards, Lacerta viridis.
In spite of the importance of chemical signals (pheromones) in the reproductive behaviour of lizards, only a few studies have examined the role of specific chemical compounds as sexual signals. The secreted chemicals vary widely between species but whether this variation reflects 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, alpha-tocopherol, and esters of n-C16 to n-C20 carboxylic acids, and minor components such as alcohols between C12 and C20, 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.
Kopena
Renata
R
Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter s 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
López
Pilar
P
Martín
José
J
D000818:Animals; D002778:Cholestanones / Q000378:metabolism; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D006814:Hungary; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D013185:Squalene / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000378:metabolism
D002778:Cholestanones; D010675:Pheromones; D013185:Squalene; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol