Increased Social Dominance in Male Rabbits, Oryctolagus Cuniculus, is Associated with Increased Secretion of 2-Phenoxy Ethanol from the Chin Gland

The European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, is a gregarious and sedentary organism that commonly lives in defined social groups of between two and about twenty individuals (Cowan and Bell, 1986). This social group lives together in a series of interconnecting burrows known as a warren (Lockley, 1961; Mykytowycz, 1958; Southern, 1940). There are distinct social hierarchies within each social group (Cowan and Bell, 1986; Lockley, 1961; Mykytowycz, 1958). These hierarchies are strictly maintained during the breeding season, but are not as strong at other times of the year (Mykytowycz, 1964).