VOLATILE COMPONENTS IN DEFENSIVE SPRAY OF THE HOG-NOSED SKUNK, CONEPATUS-MESOLEUCUS

GC-MS analysis of the anal sac secretion from the hog-nosed skunk, Con epatus mesoleucus, showed two major volatile components, (E)-2-butene- 1-thiol and (E)-S-2-butenyl thioacetate. Minor volatile components ide ntified from this secretion were phenylmethanethiol, 2-methylquinoline , 2-quinolinemethanethiol, and bis[(E)-2-butenyl] disulfide. 3-Methyl- 1-butanethiol, a major component in the defensive spray of the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, and the spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius, was absent from this secretion.