Chemosensory responses of female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanone, a naturally occurring component of male Asian elephant temporal gland secretion, was tested as a candidate elicitor of bioresponses from female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Four female Asian elephants were presented with synthetic cyclohexanone samples during a standardized bioassay. Four types of bioresponses, some or all of which may be important in intersexual communication, were monitored: flehmen, palatal pit area contact, scrub, and check responses. Cyclohexanone evoked persistent responses of all bioresponse types by two females, moderate response by a third female, and very few responses by a relatively unresponsive female. The results suggest that cyclohexanone may provide chemical information about to females male elephants, particularly regarding their state of musth.