Lipophilic compounds in femoral secretions of males and females of the El Hierro giant lizard Gallotia simonyi (Lacertidae)

摘要: Many lizards use femoral gland secretions in reliable intraspecific communication. Based on mass spectra, obtained by GC–MS, we found 57 lipophilic compounds of males and females El Hierro giant lizards, Gallotia simonyi (fam. Lacertidae). Compounds included steroids (mainly cholesterol) fatty acids ranging between n-C16 n-C22 hexadecanoic octadecanoic acids), followed aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, squalene waxy esters. There were important intersexual differences the presence, abundance number (more numerous males). Males had higher proportions most odoriferous (fatty aldehydes), while more stable (steroids, esters terpenoids). This suggests sexual function secretions. In addition, some could reflect physiological state, allowing monitoring health from samples, which is especially given critical conservation status this lizard.