Chemical Communication in<i>Galago Crassicaudatus</i>: Investigation of the Chest Gland Secretion

Abstract

AbstractThe volatile properties of the three major components of the chest gland secretion of Galago crassicaudatus were studied. Artificial scents were prepared using these components and were tested under natural conditions at a field site in the Soutpansberg mountains of the Northern Transvaal. In order to establish a natural basis for analysing the communicatory function of the scent mark which results from chest rubbing behaviour, the social structure of the group of G. crassicaudatus at the study site was investigated. The chest gland secretion appears to function as a relatively short-lived cue which facilitates communication between individuals found near each other; and a relatively persistant cue which may be used for territorial marking.Die vlugtige eienskappe van die drie vernaamste bestanddele van die borsklierafskeiding van Galago crassicaudatus is bestudeer. Kunsmatige reuke is met behulp van hierdie bestanddele voorberei en onder natuurlike toestande op 'n eksperimentele terrein in die Soutpansberg in Noord-Transvaal, getoets. Om 'n natuurlike basis vas te stel vir analise van die kommunikeerfunksie van die reukmerk wat as gevolg van die borsskurende gedrag voorkom, is die sosiale struktuur van 'n groep G. crassicaudatus op die eksperimentele terrein ondersoek. Dit wil voorkom asof die borsklierafskeiding 'n relatief kortdurende aanwysing verskaf, wat kommunikasie tussen individue wat naby mekaar gevind is, vergemaklik; en 'n relatief langdurende aanwysing wat gebruik kan word vir gebiedsafbakening.