title: Otter scent signals age, sex, and reproductive status.
abstract: Scent is used across taxa to communicate information about signaler identity. Eurasian otters Lutra lutra are mainly solitary and thought to use scent as their primary means of communication. Little is known, however, about what information otters communicate through scent or what social function this performs. Headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to sample and analyze volatile organic compounds from anal scent gland secretion from 158 otters of differing sex, age, and female reproductive status. Univariate and multivariate differences were clear between adult and juvenile otters. Complex sex differences were apparent in adult otters but not in younger individuals, suggesting the use of this scent secretion in mate attraction. The scent of pregnant and lactating females was highly differentiated from male and juvenile scent, but anecdotal reports suggest females avoid communication during these times.
authors: Cardiff University Otter Project, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK. Keanef@cardiff.ac.uk
authors: Eleanor F
authors: EF
authors: Kean
authors: Carsten T
authors: CT
authors: Müller
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Chadwick
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009812:Odorants; D010041:Otters / Q000502:physiology*; D012543:Scent Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds