Individual signatures in scent gland secretions of Eurasian deer

摘要: Evidence for individuality of odour profile, coding individual identity, was sought in scent profiles derived from natural secretions the preorbital gland red deer Cervus elaphus (n = 26), sika C. nippon (15), fallow Dama dama (50), Chinese muntjac Muntiacus reevesi (23) and water Hydropotes inermis (53); metatarsal 35), (30), (193) roe Capreolus capreolus (26), interdigital glands 48). Volatiles were eluted sample materials at body temperature, to restrict analysis those elements that would occur within signal; different volatile then separated by gas chromatography. For each species considered, least one individually distinct sufficiently complex code identity. Within our samples no two individuals produced identical profiles; yet sampled successive years, signatures remained consistent over time. The wider potential assessed through calculation number possible combinations all volatiles recovered any species×gland system. Every secretion considered seems have provide characteristic signals (with exception gland, which notably contained information under analytical system). Complexity differed markedly between as did gland-type responsible production most or distinctive signal. No simple evolutionary patterns are apparent account this variation we suggest form selected a signal carrying about identity is function habitat type sociality.