Steppe Polecat
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| Mustela eversmannii (Lesson, 1827) |
The Steppe Polecat (Mustela eversmannii) is a small carnivore and is one of several species of weasel that belong to the genus Mustela. It can also be referred to as the Siberian polecat. The Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica) is also occasionally referred to as Siberian polecat, which can be confusing.
The Steppe Polecat is found in the steppes and sub-deserts of Eastern Europe and republics of the former USSR. It is also found in Mongolia and West, Central and North East China.[2]
The Steppe Polecat breeds during March to April. Gestation ranges from 39 to 43 days. Birth has been observed around mid-May and average litter size is 6.8 young. [3]
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 9 sulfur containing volatile compounds in the anal gland secretion of the Steppe Polecat:
- 2,2-dimethylthietane
- (Z)- or (E)- 2,4-dimethylthietane (predominant)
- (E)-2,3-dimethylthietane
- 2-ethylthietane
- (E)-2-ethyl-3-methylthietane
- (Z)-2-ethyl-3-methylthietane
- 2-propylthietane
- 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dithiacyclopentane
- (Z)- 3,4-dimethyl-2,2-dithiacyclopentane
Relative abundance of the compounds varied with sex and age. A relative of the Steppe Polecat, the Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica) has the same volatile compounds in its anal gland secretions, but the predominant compound is 2,2-dimethylthietane. It is suggested that the differences in compound abundance are a way for the Steppe Polecat and the Siberian Weasel to communicate species, sex and age.[4][5]
[edit] References
- ^ Mustelid Specialist Group (1996). Mustela eversmannii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 08 May 2006.
- ^ Mustela eversmannii. MSW Scientific Names, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Retrieved on April 16, 2006.
- ^ Mead, R.A., S. Neirinckx and N.M. Czekala (1990). "Reproductive cycle of the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni)". Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 88: 353-360.
- ^ Zhang, J.X., L.X. Sun, Z.B. Zhang, Z.W. Wang, Y. Chen and R. Wang (2002). "Volatile compounds in anal gland of Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) and steppe polecats (M-eversmanni)". Journal of Chemical Ecology 28: 1287-1297.
- ^ Zhang, J.X., J. Ni, X.J. Ren, L. Sun, Z.B. Zhang and Z.W. Wang (2003). "Possible coding for recognition of sexes, individuals and species in anal gland volatiles of Mustela eversmanni and M. sibirica". Chemical Senses 28: 381-388.
[edit] External links
- Russian article with photos
