Abstract
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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albone, E.S. 1984. Mammalian Semiochemistry: The Investigation of Chemical Signals Between Mammals. John Wiley & Sons, New York, p. 14.
Eisenberg, J.F., McKay, G.M., andJainudeen, M.R. 1971. Reproductive behavior of the Asiatic elephant.Behaviour 38:193–225.
Jainudeen, M.R., McKay, G.M., andEisenberg, J.F. 1972a. Observations on musth in the domesticated Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus).Mammalia 36:247–261.
Jainudeen, M.R., Katongole, C.B., andShort, R.V. 1972b. Plasma testosterone levels in relation to musth and sexual activity in the male Asiatic elephant,Elephas maximus.J. Reprod. Fertil. 29:99–103.
Molamure, H.E. 1969. Elephants-Marginal notes on musth and mating.Loris 11:345–346.
McGaughey, C.A. 1963. Musth.Ceylon Vet. J. 11:105–107.
Niemuller, C.A., andLiptrap, R.M. 1991. Altered androstenedione to testosterone ratios and LH concentrations during musth in the captive male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).J. Reprod. Fertil. 91:139–146.
Perrin, T.E. 1994.Elephas maximus; Male to female chemosignals (pheromones) from temporal gland secretion and their chemical analyses. Masters thesis. Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, Portland, Oregon.
Ramussen, L.E. 1988. Chemosensory responses in two species of elephants to constituents of temporal gland secretion and musth urine.J. Chem. Ecol. 14:1687–1711.
Rasmussen, L.E., Schmidt, M.J..Henneous, R., Groves, D., andDaves, G.D. 1982. Asian bull elephants: Flehmen-like responses to extractable components in female elephants estrous urine.Science 217:159–162.
Rasmussen, L.E., Buss, I.O., Hess, D.L., andSchmidt, M.J. 1984. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in elephant serum and temporal gland secretions.Biol. Reprod. 30:352–362.
Rasmussen, L.E., Schmidt, M.J., andDaves, G.D. 1986. Chemical communication among Asian elephants. Fourth International Symposium on Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Laramie, Wyoming, 1985, pp. 627–645,in D. Duvall, R.M. Silverstein, and D. Muller-Schwarze (eds.). chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Evolutionary, Ecological and Comparative Aspects. Plenum Press, New York.
Ramussen, L.E.L., Hess, D.L., andHaight, J.D. 1990. Chemical analysis of temporal gland secretions collected from an Asian bull elephant during a four-month musth episode.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2167–2181.
Schmidt, M.J. 1978. Elephants, pp. 709–752,in M.E. Fowler (ed.). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perrin, T.E., Rasmussen, L.E.L. Chemosensory responses of female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to cyclohexanone. J Chem Ecol 20, 2857–2866 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02098394
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02098394