Co-Authors:
Heth, G., Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31-905, Israel
Nevo, E., Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31-905, Israel
Ikan, R., Department of Organic Chemistry, Natural Product Laboratory, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91-904, Israel
Weinstein, V., Department of Organic Chemistry, Natural Product Laboratory, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91-904, Israel
Ravid, U., Department of Medicinal Spices and Aromatic Plants, ARO, Newe Ya'ar post, 31-999, Israel
Duncan, H., Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 45267-0528, Ohio, United States
Abstract:
The behavior of mole rats (Spalax ehrenbergi) near pairs of enantiomeric compounds was examined in 901 two-choice experimental tests. Positioning of the nest and food store and the preferred location of the tested animal were used to assess attraction or aversion to the tested odorants. The results indicated that mole rats respond differentially to odors of stereoisomers (enantiomers of carvone, citronellol, and fechone). They responded to one enantiomer of each tested pair but were indifferent to or did not smell the other. Both sexes were attracted to the odor of R-(-)-carvone and repelled by the odor of (+)-citronellol. Females were attracted to the odor of (-)-fenchone while males had no preference. By contrast, all animals were indifferent to or did not smell the odor of S-(+)-carvone, (-)-citronellol, and (+)-fenchone. Further research to distinguish between these alternatives (indifference vs hyposmia/anosmia) is suggested. © 1992 Birkhäuser Verlag.