Volatile compounds in shoulder gland secretions of male flying foxes, genus Pteropus (Pteropodidae

The shoulder gland secretions of captive males of the Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus), the little golden-mantled flying fox (P. pumilus), the island flying fox (P. hypomelanus), and the large flying fox (P. vampyrus) were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty-five compounds, including hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and amides, were identified among the four species. Many of these compounds, such as squalene, cholesterol, and C 5 ÐC 16 straight-and branched-chain carboxylic acids, are typical of tetrapod epidermal products. Aldehydes, which were detected in all four Pteropus species, and some straight-and branched-chain ketones, which were detected in P. hypomelanus and P. pumilus, are known from other mammalian skin glands. Acetophenone, 4-acetoxyacetophenone, and 4-hydroxyacetophenone were observed in P. pumilus; the last compound comprised 37.1% of the total ion current. 2,3-Butanediol, a prominent component (5.2Ð 19.3%) in the secretions of P. giganteus, P. hypomelanus, and P. pumilus, and C 10 and C 12 isopropyl esters and C 10 ÐC 14 1-methylbutyl esters, observed in P. hypomelanus and P. vampyrus, have not previously been reported from vertebrates. α-Methyl-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol and dihydro-5-phenyl-2(3H)-furanone, from P. giganteus and P. pumilus, are new natural products. 1-Chloro-3-methyl-2-butene, another new natural product, and five C 5 compounds exhibiting a similar isoprenoid structure were observed in P. giganteus. Striking contrasts were observed in the chemical profiles of the species we examined, with even general chemical classes differentially represented among them

Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID-19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These ‘earth observatories’ provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly