Putative Pheromones of Lion Mane and Its Ultrastructure

The significance of mane in the lion as a putative source of pheromone is discussed. Since head-rubbing on the tree trunks is as frequent as spraying marking fluid (MF) both MF and mane are likely to leave two osmic signals simultaneously at two neighbouring sites. The chemical analysis of mane reveals the presence of C9–C24 straight-chain branched and unsaturated fatty acids which may play the role of pheromones. The presence of erucic acid in hair is a new observation. Scanning electron micrographs of cross sections of mane hair show “pockets” which could store pheromones.