Identification of desmostanol as a novel vertebrate sterol in short-beaked echidna secretions
Rachel L. Harris A C , Noel W. Davies B and Stewart C. Nicol A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: rachel.harris@utas.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 35(2) 255-258 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM13002
Submitted: 19 February 2013 Accepted: 15 May 2013 Published: 14 June 2013
Abstract
Mass spectra and chromatographic data are presented to support the identification of cholest-24-en-3β-ol (desmostanol) in odorous secretions in Tasmanian short-beaked echidnas. This sterol has previously been described only in marine invertebrates and phytoplankton, and may have a role in chemical communication in the echidna.
Additional keywords: monotreme, olfaction, sterol, Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus.
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