Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) are threatened in the wild (South America). There is currently an effort to maintain viable ex situ populations, not only as a hedge against extinction, but also to provide a research resource from which the biology and chemistry of these animals can be investigated. Behavioral studies suggest that sexual chemical signals are present in their malodorous urine. We have found an unusually large variety of urinary pyrazines, and have identified the malodorous sulfur-containing compounds (hemiterpene thiols and sulfides). We have also observed an increase in abundance of some compounds upon aging the urine at room temperature, possibly due to bacterial action. Our analysis employs automated solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE) coupled with GC-MS. Also, using 1H NMR spectroscopy we have analyzed CDCl3 extracts of maned wolf urine, as well as the unaltered urine itself. Behavioral bioassays are underway using whole urine and pure chemical components thereof.

Spde/gc-ms and nmr analysis of volatile organic compounds in maned wolf urine

241st National Meeting (2011)

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