2,3-Dihydrofarnesyl and citronellyl esters in the paracloacal gland secretions of the brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) from Costa Rica

The paracloacal gland secretions of a male and a female brown caiman (Caima n crocodilus fuscus) from Costa Rica were analyzed by gas chromatography-ma ss spectrometry. 3,7,11-Trimethyldodeca-6,10-dien-1-ol (2,3-dihydrofarnesol ) and 20 of its esters, with acid moieties ranging in carbon-chain length f rom two to 18, were observed in one or both sexes. Most of these compounds have not previously been described from a natural source. 3,7-Dimethyl-6-oc ten-1-yl (citronellyl) acetate, citronellyl butanoate, and citronellyl hexa noate were observed in the secretions of the female caiman. Squalene was ob served in both sexes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.