title: Volatile components in defensive spray of the spotted skunk,Spilogale putorius.
abstract: GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the spotted skunk,Spilogale putorius, showed three major volatile components: (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, and 2-phenylethanethiol. Minor volatile components identified from this secretion were: phenylmethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline, 2-quinolinemethanethiol, bis[(E)-2-butenyl] disulfide, (E)-2-butenyl 3-methylbufyl disulfide, bis(3-methylbutyl) disulfide. All of these compounds except 2-phenylethanethioi have been identified previously from the striped skunk,Mephitis mephitis. The thioacetate derivativesS- (E)-2-butenyl thioacetate,S-3-methylbutanyl thioacetate, andS-2-quinolinemethyl thioacetate found in the striped skunk were not seen in this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Humboldt State University, 95521, Arcata, California.
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller