Title:

Inability of thin-layer chromatography to distinguish feces from congeneric foxes by their bile acid contents

Creator:

Jiménez, J. E. ; Yáñez, J. L. ; Jaksić, F. M.

Place of publishing:

Białowieża

Date issued/created:

1996

Description:

We used thin-layer chromatography of fecal bile acids in an attempt to separate feces of culpeo fox Pseudalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782) from those of chilla fox P. griseus (Gray, 1837). We tested the method with pure bile acids and with feces from known fox species on two different plate types. Results differed according to the plate type used. The technique failed to distinguish scats from the two fox species. We found variability in the spot pattern of bile acids within species, and within individuals, likely associated to the diet. The location of the spots (Rf values) also varied with the concentration of the sample, and the color and location changed with different plate types. We warn that the thin-layer chromatography of fecal bile acids is sill unreliable for distinguishing feces between sympatric carnivores. Hence, we propose to rely on alternative techniques.

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

bile acids ; feces ; Pseudalopex culpaeus ; Pseudalopex griseus ; lis ; psowate

Relation:

Acta Theriologica

Volume:

41

Issue:

2

Start page:

211

End page:

215

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Format:

PDF

Resource Identifier:

10.4098/AT.arch.96-21

Source:

click here to follow the link

Language:

eng ; Sum. eng.

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Free Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. May be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms

Digitizing institution:

Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences

Projects co-financed by:

Programme Innovative Economy, 2010-2014, Priority Axis 2. R&D infrastructure ; European Union. European Regional Development Fund

Access:

Open