Volatile components in dorsal gland secretions of the white-lipped peccary, Tayassu pecari, from Bolivia.

Secretions from the dorsal gland of male and female free-ranging adult white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) from Bolivia were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty compounds were identified, some provisionally. Secretions of both sexes contain saturated and unsaturated C5-C18 carboxylic acids as well as isomers of the diterpene springene. The females' secretions uniquely possess farnesyl esters of C8 and C10 carboxylic acids, whereas the males' secretions uniquely showed two compounds provisionally identified as monounsaturated C16 lactones. Saturated high-molecular-weight esters of C10 carboxylic acids are more abundant in the females' secretions than in those of the males. The secretions of both sexes also contain monoalkanoate esters of methylhydroquinone as major components.