The smell of zebra finches: Elucidation of zebra finch odour applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfaction-guided approaches

Abstract

Zebra finches use volatile compounds for olfactory communication. In this study the volatile composition of zebra finch preen oil and feathers, potential sources of semiochemicals, was studied applying olfactory-guided approaches. In sum, 14 sample pools consisting of 1600 individual samples were analysed. In preen oil, 34 odour-active and 75 further volatiles were detected. In feathers, 51 odour-active and 76 further volatiles were detected. Several substances were common to both sample types, and feathers beared a higher number of volatiles than preen oil. We found hints towards a sex chemical signature. In sum, 121 compounds were identified, out of which 95/49 compounds had not been described in zebra finches/in birds before. This study shows that the combination of classic gas chromatography - mass spectrometry with olfaction-guided approaches leads to a more comprehensive characterization of the avian volatilome. The here presented approach can also be applied for other species.

Keywords

• Preen oil
• Feathers
• Sex signature
• Avian volatilome
• Olfaction
• Bird odour