Small Mammals Q&A 12
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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Small Mammals questions |
Note the black oval ‘lesion’ on the flank of this hamster.
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| What is this structure? | This is a flank or scent gland.
It is most prominent in mature male hamsters and becomes visible with hair thinning. |
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| What other rodent species have similar structures and where are they located? | Gerbils possess a prominent patch of sebaceous glands on the midventral abdomen; there are used for territorial marking and identifiying the pups. The gland is larger in the male.
Guinea pigs have prominent sebaceous glands around the anus and over the rump, which produce waxy secretions used for territorial marking. The glands are common sites of cysts, abscesses, hyperplasia and neoplasia in these species. |
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| What are the known functions of this structure? | The flank gland serves as a means for olfactory marking of territory, individual identification and, possibly, sexual attraction.
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