Seasonal sebaceous patch in the nectar-feeding bats Leptonycteris curasoae and L. yerbabuenae (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae): phenological, histological, and preliminary chemical characterization.

摘要: Many species of bats secrete a wide variety substances, frequently associated with olfactory communication. We characterized seasonal phenomenon dorsal sebaceous secretion in the Curacaoan long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris curasoae, Venezuela, and lesser yerbabuenae, Mexico. The phenology patch was determined, histological analysis affected area conducted using specimens L. curasoae from finally, preliminary chemical characterization substance secreted performed combining histochemical techniques gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyses. detected exclusively male adult specimens. Individuals presenting it had variable fur covered fatty odoriferous at level interscapular zone. Occurrence cyclical coincided mating season Venezuela following changes occurrence were observed: increase epidermis thickness decrease dermis hypodermis thicknesses, density glands, percentage skin by size glands previous to followed, sebum volume within secretion. Several compounds tentatively identified as acids, cholestanes cholesterol present Based on evidence obtained, we hypothesize that could be involved communication, possibly related behavior these bats.