The fixative lipid of tiger pheromone

Area of Science:

• Zoology and Animal Behavior
• Biochemistry and Chemical Ecology

Background:

• Tigers utilize a lipid-rich Marking Fluid (MF) for intraspecific communication.
• The MF's composition is crucial for the longevity and effectiveness of olfactory signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To chemically characterize the lipid components of tiger Marking Fluid.
• To compare the fatty acid profiles of MF with other tiger body lipids.

Main Methods:

• Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to identify lipid classes in the MF.
• Gas liquid chromatography (GLC) of fatty acid methyl esters analyzed the MF's lipid composition.
• Comparison with existing data on tiger groin and body fat fatty acids.

Main Results:

• Tiger MF contains cholesterol ester, wax ester, triglyceride, free fatty acids, diglyceride, monoglyceride, free sterol, and phospholipid.
• MF exhibits higher proportions of palmitoleic and myristic acids, and highly unsaturated fatty acids compared to groin and body fat.
• Unique saturated and monoenoic primary alcohols (C14-C20) were identified in the wax ester fraction of MF.

Conclusions:

• The specific lipid profile of tiger Marking Fluid, particularly its fatty acid and alcohol composition, is adapted for olfactory communication.
• Distinctive fatty acid ratios suggest MF lipids are biochemically specialized, differing from general body fats.