Zur Chemotaxonomie der Alkenvögel. Die Zusammensetzung der Bürzellipide des Tordalks (Alca torda), der Trottel- und Ringellume (Uria aalge) und der Gryllteiste (Cepphus grylle) / Chemotaxonomy of Alcidae. The Composition of the Uropygial Gland Fat from the Razorbill (Alca torda), Guillemot (Uria aalge) and the Blade Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)

Abstract

The uropygial gland fats from the razorbill, guillemot (two varieties) and the black guillemot arc very complex mixtures of ester waxes. Among the wax acids n- octanoic acid dominates followed by homologous series of 2-, 4- and 6-monomethyl-, 2,6-, 2,8-, 2,10-, 4,6-, 4,8-, 4,10-, 4,12-dimethyl- and 2,4,8-, 2,6,10-, 2,6,12-, 4,6,10- and 4,8,12-trimethyl-substituted fatty acids. The alcoholic components consist of n-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-monomethyl- as well as 2,6-, 2,8-, 2,10-, 4,6-, 4,8-, 4,10- and 4,12-dimethyl-branched alkanols. The black guillemot differs from the other species investigated by the occurence of fatty acids which have the first branch in 2- while the others start with the 4-position. The chemotaxonomy of the 20th order of the natural system is discussed.