Bipasha Sarker / Chemistry & Biochemistry / Faculty Mentor: Kevin Schug
Lizards, including those of the Aspidoscelis genus, utilize femoral gland secretions (known as pheromones) for intraspecific communication and mate selection, offering insights into various behavioral and ecological phenomena. Traditionally, lipids have been emphasized in reptilian chemical communication. While our collaborator Dr. Matthew Fujita and his Ph.D. student Joshua Rivera are studying the genetic composition of these species, our study aims to investigate the lipid and small molecule composition of femoral gland secretions in Aspidoscelis, particularly comparing asexually reproducing (parthenogenetic) and sexually reproducing species within the whiptail clade, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Notably, despite the absence of males in parthenogenetic whiptails, behavioral patterns resembling those of mating bisexuals are observed, suggesting intriguing avenues for exploring the diversity of femoral gland function. Additionally, we propose to examine potential sex-based differences in pheromone secretion, comparing both femoral and epidermal gland secretions in sexually reproducing species. Investigating existing literature on pheromone analysis in Aspidoscelis and outlining a research framework for investigating its chemical composition, this review aims to pave the way for future studies elucidating the role of lipids and small molecules in reptilian chemical communication.
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