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Alves Soares T, Caspers BA, Loos HM. Volatile organic compounds in preen oil and feathers - a review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1085-1099. [PMID: 38303487 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
For a long time birds were assumed to be anosmic or at best microsmatic, with olfaction a poorly understood and seldom investigated part of avian physiology. The full viability of avian olfaction was first discovered through its functions in navigation and foraging. Subsequently, researchers have investigated the role of olfaction in different social and non-social contexts, including reproduction, kin recognition, predator avoidance, navigation and foraging. In parallel to the recognition of the importance of olfaction for avian social behaviour, there have been advances in the techniques and methods available for the sampling and analysis of trace volatiles and odourants, leading to insights into the chemistry underlying chemical communication in birds. This review provides (i) an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the volatile chemical composition of preen oil and feathers, its phylogenetic coverage, chemical signatures and their potential functions, and (ii) a discussion of current methods used for the isolation and detection of volatiles. Finally, lines for future research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Alves Soares
- Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestraße 9, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), University of Münster and Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestraße 9, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Giggenhauser Straße 35, Freising, 85354, Germany
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Liu D, Tong Y, Dong R, Ye X, Yu X. A Breeding Plumage in the Making: The Unique Process of Plumage Coloration in the Crested Ibis in Terms of Chemical Composition and Sex Hormones. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3820. [PMID: 38136856 PMCID: PMC10740519 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) has long fascinated ornithologists with its enigmatic plumage color change. After more than a century of curiosity, the mystery was finally unraveled in the 1970s, unveiling the mechanism behind this remarkable transformation. Unlike other bird species, the Crested Ibis achieves its nuptial plumage coloration through a unique daubing behavior. After a water-bathing, it applies a sticky black substance secreted by a patch of skin in the neck and throat region. However, the chemical components of this black substance have not been studied in detail until now. To address this issue, we conducted a study to detect the components of the black substance and explore the relationship between sex hormone levels and the secretion of the black substance. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the monthly changes in steroid hormone levels (estradiol E2, testosterone T, and progesterone PROG) levels in feces. We also analyzed the correlation between sex hormone levels and daubing behavior. The results showed that the sex hormone levels are closely related to the secretion and application of the black substance. In addition, we qualitatively analyzed the chemical components of the black substance using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), uncovering the presence of 117 distinct chemical components. We assume that the black coloration results from the polymerization of selected chemical constituents among these components. These findings provide a groundwork for further exploration into the biological significance of the black substance. Overall, our study detected components in the black substance and studied how sex hormone levels relate to its secretion. Understanding the hormone effects on coloration helps in precise habitat management, like wetland preservation, crucial for Crested Ibis survival. Implementing hormone-boosting measures during breeding seasons enhances reproduction and health, vital for their conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (D.L.); (Y.T.); (X.Y.)
| | - Yiwei Tong
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (D.L.); (Y.T.); (X.Y.)
| | - Rong Dong
- Research Center for Qinling Giant Panda, Shaanxi Academy of Foresty, Xi’an 710082, China;
| | - Xinping Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (D.L.); (Y.T.); (X.Y.)
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China; (D.L.); (Y.T.); (X.Y.)
- Shaanxi Provincial Field Observation and Research Station for Golden Monkey, Giant Panda and Biodiversity, Xi’an 723400, China
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3
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Gouzerh F, Ganem G, Pichevin A, Dormont L, Thomas F. Ability of animals to detect cancer odors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188850. [PMID: 36528192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The olfactory capacity of animals has long been used by humans to help with various activities, e.g., hunting, detecting mines, locating people, and diagnosing diseases. Cancer is among the leading diseases causing death worldwide. Several recent studies have underscored the benefit of using scent to detect cancer, and this paper will review the studies using animals to detect tumor scents. A large variety of animals have been used for this purpose-dogs, rodents, insects, and nematodes-and have shown their capacity to detect cancer, with a success rate close to 90%. Here we discuss these studies, their methodologies, and the animal models used. Finally, we discuss the medical perspectives for cancer diagnosis using odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Gouzerh
- Centre de Recherches Écologiques et Évolutives sur le Cancer, Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR IRD 224- CNRS 5290- Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France.
| | - Guila Ganem
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, ISEM, Université Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Anaïs Pichevin
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Dormont
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Centre de Recherches Écologiques et Évolutives sur le Cancer, Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR IRD 224- CNRS 5290- Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France
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Gouzerh F, Buatois B, Hervé MR, Mancini M, Maraver A, Dormont L, Thomas F, Ganem G. Odours of cancerous mouse congeners: detection and attractiveness. Biol Open 2022; 11:275010. [PMID: 35403195 PMCID: PMC9065363 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical communication plays a major role in social interactions. Cancer, by inducing changes in body odours, may alter interactions between individuals. In the framework of research targeting non-invasive methods to detect early stages of cancer development, this study asked whether untrained mice could detect odour changes in cancerous congeners. If yes, were they able to detect cancer at an early developmental stage? Did it influence female preference? Did variations in volatile organic components of the odour source paralleled mice behavioural responses? We used transgenic mice strains developing or not lung cancer upon antibiotic ingestion. We sampled soiled bedding of cancerous mice (CC) and not cancerous mice (NC), at three experimental conditions: before (T0), early stage (T2) and late stage (T12) of cancer development. Habituation/generalisation and two-way preference tests were performed where soiled beddings of CC and NC mice were presented to wild-derived mice. The composition and relative concentration of volatile organic components (VOC) in the two stimuli types were analysed. Females did not show directional preference at any of the experimental conditions, suggesting that cancer did not influence their choice behaviour. Males did not discriminate between CC and NC stimuli at T0 but did so at T2 and T12, indicating that wild-derived mice could detect cancer at an early stage of development. Finally, although the VOC bouquet differed between CC and NC it did not seem to parallel the observed behavioural response suggesting that other types of odorant components might be involved in behavioural discrimination between CC and NC mice. Summary: Male mice could discriminate the smell of cancerous congeners even when the tumour was hardly detectable by other means; however, females did not discriminate against the smell of males carrying cancerous tumours. Odorant molecules other than volatile organic compounds analysed here might explain the observed behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Gouzerh
- CREEC/ MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Buatois
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Maxime R Hervé
- IGEPP, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
| | | | | | - Laurent Dormont
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/ MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Guila Ganem
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Liu H, Yang Z, He Y, Yang Q, Tang Q, Yang Z, Qi J, Hu Q, Bai L, Li L. Metabolic Profiling Reveals That the Olfactory Cues in the Duck Uropygial Gland Potentially Act as Sex Pheromones. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040413. [PMID: 35203121 PMCID: PMC8868514 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For birds, the uropygial gland is a special organ. We believe that its secretion can be used as a pheromone between the sexes to play a role in mate selection and mating. Therefore, we studied the chemical composition of duck uropygial gland secretions and the differences between males and females. After a series of screenings, 24 different volatile metabolites were obtained in our experiment. On this basis, five extremely significant volatile metabolites were screened out—significantly more males than females. The results show that these volatile substances are potential sex pheromone substances, which may be the critical olfactory clues for birds to choose mates. Our results lay the foundation for further research on whether uropygial gland secretion affects duck reproduction and production. Abstract The exchange of information between animals is crucial for maintaining social relations, individual survival, and reproduction, etc. The uropygial gland is a particular secretion gland found in birds. We speculated that uropygial gland secretions might act as a chemical signal responsible for sexual communication. We employed non-targeted metabolomic technology through liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identifying duck uropygial gland secretions. We observed 11,311 and 14,321 chemical substances in the uropygial gland secretion for positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Based on their relative contents, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that gender significantly affects the metabolite composition of the duck uropygial gland. A total of 3831 and 4510 differential metabolites were further identified between the two sexes at the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Of them, 139 differential metabolites were finally annotated. Among the 80 differential metabolites that reached an extremely significant difference (p < 0.01), we identified 24 volatile substances. Moreover, we further demonstrated that five kinds of volatile substances are highly repeatable in all testing ducks, including picolinic acid, 3-Hydroxypicolinic acid, indoleacetaldehyde, 3-hydroxymethylglutaric acid, and 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid. All these substances are significantly higher in males than in females, and their functions are involved in the reproduction processes of birds. Our data implied that these volatile substances act as sex pheromones and may be crucial olfactory clues for mate selection between birds. Our findings laid the foundation for future research on whether uropygial gland secretion can affect ducks’ reproduction and production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Liang Li
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-139-8160-4574
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Grieves LA, Gilles M, Cuthill IC, Székely T, MacDougall-Shackleton EA, Caspers BA. Olfactory camouflage and communication in birds. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1193-1209. [PMID: 35128775 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Smell is a sensory modality that is rarely considered in birds, but evidence is mounting that olfaction is an important aspect of avian behaviour and ecology. The uropygial gland produces an odoriferous secretion (preen oil) that can differ seasonally and between the sexes. These differences are hypothesized to function in olfactory camouflage, i.e. minimizing detection by nest predators (olfactory crypsis hypothesis), and/or intraspecific olfactory communication, particularly during breeding (sex semiochemical hypothesis). However, evidence for seasonal and sex differences in preen oil is mixed, with some studies finding differences and others not, and direct evidence for the putative function(s) of seasonal variation and sex differences in preen oil remains limited. We conducted a systematic review of the evidence for such changes in preen oil chemical composition, finding seasonal differences in 95% of species (57/60 species in 35 studies) and sex differences in 47% of species (28/59 species in 46 studies). We then conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses using data from 59 bird species to evaluate evidence for both the olfactory crypsis and sex semiochemical hypotheses. Seasonal differences were more likely in the incubating than non-incubating sex in ground-nesting species, but were equally likely regardless of incubation strategy in non-ground-nesting species. This result supports the olfactory crypsis hypothesis, if ground nesters are more vulnerable to olfactorily searching predators than non-ground nesters. Sex differences were more likely in species with uniparental than biparental incubation and during breeding than non-breeding, consistent with both the olfactory crypsis and sex semiochemical hypotheses. At present, the data do not allow us to disentangle these two hypotheses, but we provide recommendations that will enable researchers to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne A Grieves
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M4, Canada
| | - Marc Gilles
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
| | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K.,Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | | | - Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany
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Graham JL, Charlier TD, Bonadonna F, Caro SP. Olfactory detection of trace amounts of plant volatiles is correlated with testosterone in a passerine bird. Horm Behav 2021; 136:105045. [PMID: 34537486 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In response to damage by insects, plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) into the air. Insectivorous birds exploit these cues and, consequently, reduce the damages inflicted to the plants. However, little is known about whether they solely use HIPVs as foraging cues, or if they also use them to modulate traits linked to reproduction. As caterpillars are the primary food source required for insectivorous birds to raise offspring, their ability to locate and predict future peaks in caterpillar biomass using olfaction is likely to be advantageous. Therefore, we tested whether an insectivorous songbird that naturally inhabits oak dominated forests can be trained to detect early spring infestation by hatchling caterpillars, at a time when oaks begin bursting, and birds prepare to breed. Tree buds were either infested with caterpillars or left as a control and visually obscured in a Y-Maze choice test. Additionally, we measured testosterone and 17β-estradiol as they influence olfactory perception in mammals and are linked to reproduction in vertebrates. After being trained to associate the presence of HIPVs with that of food, blue tits spent more time with, were more active around, and more frequently chose to first visit the infested trees, showing that blue tits can smell caterpillar activity. Males with higher testosterone spent more time around infested trees, suggesting that foraging behavior during the pre-breeding season is linked with a major reproductive signal. There was no relationship between foraging and estradiol in females. These results are an important foundation for further investigation of the role of hormones in avian olfaction and how smell may be useful for making breeding decisions that could improve reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thierry D Charlier
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | | | - Samuel P Caro
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
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What is that smell? Hummingbirds avoid foraging on resources with defensive insect compounds. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03067-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Hummingbirds utilize visual cues to locate flowers, but little is known about the role olfaction plays in nectar foraging despite observations that hummingbirds avoid resources occupied by certain insects. We investigated the behavioral responses of both wild and captive hummingbirds to olfactory cues of hymenopteran floral visitors, including native wood ants (Formica francoeuri), invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), and European honeybees (Apis mellifera). We demonstrate for the first time that hummingbirds use olfaction to make foraging decisions when presented with insect-derived chemical cues under field and aviary conditions. Both wild and captive hummingbirds avoided foraging on feeders with defensive chemicals of F. francoeuri and aggregation pheromones of L. humile, but showed no response to honeybee cuticular hydrocarbons. Our experiments demonstrate the importance of olfaction in shaping hummingbird foraging decisions.
Significance statement
Recent reviews reveal that avian olfaction is not just limited to vultures and a few taxa. We demonstrate that a very charismatic group, hummingbirds, avoid defensive and aggregatory chemical cues from insects present at nectar resources. Olfactory cues can provide critical information about the presence and potential threat of insect floral visitors. This study raises new questions about the underrated importance of olfaction in avian foraging and specifically, hummingbird foraging.
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10
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Avian and rodent responses to the olfactory landscape in a Mediterranean cavity community. Oecologia 2019; 191:73-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04487-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Van Huynh A, Rice AM. Conspecific olfactory preferences and interspecific divergence in odor cues in a chickadee hybrid zone. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9671-9683. [PMID: 31534684 PMCID: PMC6745874 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how mating cues promote reproductive isolation upon secondary contact is important in describing the speciation process in animals. Divergent chemical cues have been shown to act in reproductive isolation across many animal taxa. However, such cues have been overlooked in avian speciation, particularly in passerines, in favor of more traditional signals such as song and plumage. Here, we aim to test the potential for odor to act as a mate choice cue, and therefore contribute to premating reproductive isolation between the black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina chickadee (P. carolinensis) in eastern Pennsylvania hybrid zone populations. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we document significant species differences in uropygial gland oil chemistry, especially in the ratio of ester to nonester compounds. We also show significant preferences for conspecific over heterospecific odor cues in wild chickadees using a Y-maze design. Our results suggest that odor may be an overlooked but important mating cue in these chickadees, potentially promoting premating reproductive isolation. We further discuss several promising avenues for future research in songbird olfactory communication and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Van Huynh
- Department of Biological SciencesLehigh UniversityBethlehemPAUSA
| | - Amber M. Rice
- Department of Biological SciencesLehigh UniversityBethlehemPAUSA
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12
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Golüke S, Bischof HJ, Engelmann J, Caspers BA, Mayer U. Social odour activates the hippocampal formation in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:41-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Comparative genomics sheds light on the predatory lifestyle of accipitrids and owls. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2249. [PMID: 30783131 PMCID: PMC6381159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38680-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Raptors are carnivorous birds including accipitrids (Accipitridae, Accipitriformes) and owls (Strigiformes), which are diurnal and nocturnal, respectively. To examine the evolutionary basis of adaptations to different light cycles and hunting behavior between accipitrids and owls, we de novo assembled besra (Accipiter virgatus, Accipitridae, Accipitriformes) and oriental scops owl (Otus sunia, Strigidae, Strigiformes) draft genomes. Comparative genomics demonstrated four PSGs (positively selected genes) (XRCC5, PRIMPOL, MDM2, and SIRT1) related to the response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in accipitrids, and one PSG (ALCAM) associated with retina development in owls, which was consistent with their respective diurnal/nocturnal predatory lifestyles. We identified five accipitrid-specific and two owl-specific missense mutations and most of which were predicted to affect the protein function by PolyPhen-2. Genome comparison showed the diversification of raptor olfactory receptor repertoires, which may reflect an important role of olfaction in their predatory lifestyle. Comparison of TAS2R gene (i.e. linked to tasting bitterness) number in birds with different dietary lifestyles suggested that dietary toxins were a major selective force shaping the diversity of TAS2R repertoires. Fewer TAS2R genes in raptors reflected their carnivorous diet, since animal tissues are less likely to contain toxins than plant material. Our data and findings provide valuable genomic resources for studying the genetic mechanisms of raptors’ environmental adaptation, particularly olfaction, nocturnality and response to UV radiation.
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Grieves LA, Bernards MA, MacDougall-Shackleton EA. Wax Ester Composition of Songbird Preen Oil Varies Seasonally and Differs between Sexes, Ages, and Populations. J Chem Ecol 2018; 45:37-45. [PMID: 30456558 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-1033-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Chemical signaling has been well studied in invertebrates and mammals but less so in birds, due to the longstanding misconception that olfaction is unimportant or even non-existent in this taxon. However, recent findings suggest that olfaction plays an important role in avian mate choice and reproductive behavior, similar to other taxa. The leading candidate source for compounds involved in avian chemical communication is preen oil, a complex mixture secreted from the uropygial gland. Preen oil contains volatile compounds and their potential wax ester precursors, and may act as a reproductive chemosignal. Reproductive signals are generally sexually dimorphic, age-specific, seasonally variable, and may also vary geographically. We tested whether preen oil meets these expectations by using gas chromatography to examine the wax ester composition of preen oil in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We found that the wax ester composition of preen oil was significantly different between sexes, age classes, seasons, and populations. Collectively, our results suggest that song sparrow preen oil meets the criteria of a chemical cue that may influence mate choice and reproduction. Our findings in song sparrows, which are sexually monomorphic in plumage, also parallel patterns described for dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), a closely related songbird with sexually dimorphic plumage. Behavioral tests are needed to confirm that song sparrows attend to the cues present in preen oil, but our findings support the increasingly accepted idea that chemical communication is common and widespread in birds as it is in other taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne A Grieves
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada.
| | - Mark A Bernards
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
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15
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Red-legged partridges perceive the scent of predators and alarm scents of an avian heterospecific. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Maraci Ö, Engel K, Caspers BA. Olfactory Communication via Microbiota: What Is Known in Birds? Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E387. [PMID: 30065222 PMCID: PMC6116157 DOI: 10.3390/genes9080387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal bodies harbour a complex and diverse community of microorganisms and accumulating evidence has revealed that microbes can influence the hosts' behaviour, for example by altering body odours. Microbial communities produce odorant molecules as metabolic by-products and thereby modulate the biochemical signalling profiles of their animal hosts. As the diversity and the relative abundance of microbial species are influenced by several factors including host-specific factors, environmental factors and social interactions, there are substantial individual variations in the composition of microbial communities. In turn, the variations in microbial communities would consequently affect social and communicative behaviour by influencing recognition cues of the hosts. Therefore, microbiota studies have a great potential to expand our understanding of recognition of conspecifics, group members and kin. In this review, we aim to summarize existing knowledge of the factors influencing the microbial communities and the effect of microbiota on olfactory cue production and social and communicative behaviour. We concentrate on avian taxa, yet we also include recent research performed on non-avian species when necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Öncü Maraci
- Research Group Chemical Signalling, Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Engel
- Research Group Chemical Signalling, Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Research Group Chemical Signalling, Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
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Douglas HD, Kitaysky AS, Kitaiskaia EV. Odor is linked to adrenocortical function and male ornament size in a colonial seabird. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hector D Douglas
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - Alexander S Kitaysky
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - Evgenia V Kitaiskaia
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, USA
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Becher PG, Lebreton S, Wallin EA, Hedenström E, Borrero F, Bengtsson M, Joerger V, Witzgall P. The Scent of the Fly. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:431-435. [PMID: 29611073 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0950-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
(Z)-4-undecenal (Z4-11Al) is the volatile pheromone produced by females of the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster. Female flies emit Z4-11Al for species-specific communication and mate-finding. A sensory panel finds that synthetic Z4-11Al has a characteristic flavour, which can be perceived even at the small amounts produced by a single female fly. Since only females produce Z4-11Al, and not males, we can reliably distinguish between single D. melanogaster males and females, according to their scent. Females release Z4-11Al at 2.4 ng/h and we readily sense 1 ng synthetic Z4-11Al in a glass of wine (0.03 nmol/L), while a tenfold concentration is perceived as a loud off-flavour. This corroborates the observation that a glass of wine is spoilt by a single D. melanogaster fly falling into it, which we here show is caused by Z4-11Al. The biological role of Z4-11Al or structurally related aldehydes in humans and the basis for this semiochemical convergence remains yet unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Becher
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Sebastien Lebreton
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Erika A Wallin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, Holmgatan 10, 85170, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Erik Hedenström
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, Holmgatan 10, 85170, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Felipe Borrero
- Biological Control Laboratory, Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research, AA 240142 Las Palmas, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Marie Bengtsson
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Volker Joerger
- Staatliches Weinbauinstitut, Merzhauserstr. 119, 79100, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Witzgall
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden. .,SLU, Box 102, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
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Krause ET, Bischof HJ, Engel K, Golüke S, Maraci Ö, Mayer U, Sauer J, Caspers BA. Olfaction in the Zebra Finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ): What Is Known and Further Perspectives. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Caspers BA, Hagelin JC, Paul M, Bock S, Willeke S, Krause ET. Zebra Finch chicks recognise parental scent, and retain chemosensory knowledge of their genetic mother, even after egg cross-fostering. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12859. [PMID: 28993703 PMCID: PMC5634463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13110-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying parent-offspring recognition in birds have fascinated researchers for centuries. Yet, the possibility that chicks recognise parental odour at hatching has been completely overlooked, despite the fact that olfaction is one of the first sensory modalities to develop, and social chemosignals occur in avian taxa. Here we show that Zebra Finch chicks (Taeniopygia guttata) are capable of identifying parental odours at hatching. In our first experiment, chicks begged significantly longer in response to the odour of their genetic mother or father compared to the odour of a non-relative of the same sex and reproductive status. In a second experiment, we cross-fostered eggs and tested the response of hatchlings to the scent of genetic vs. foster parents. Chicks from cross-fostered eggs responded significantly more to the odour of their genetic mother than their foster mother, but exhibited no difference in response to genetic vs. foster fathers. This is the first evidence that embryonic altricial birds are capable of acquiring chemosensory knowledge of their parents during early development, and retain chemical familiarity with their genetic mother despite egg cross-fostering. Furthermore our data reveals that kin recognition in birds can develop without any association with a genetic parent at hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Research Group Olfactory Communication, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Julie C Hagelin
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775, USA
| | - Madeleine Paul
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Research Group Olfactory Communication, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sandra Bock
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Research Group Olfactory Communication, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sandra Willeke
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Research Group Olfactory Communication, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - E Tobias Krause
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Dörnbergstr. 25-27, 29223, Celle, Germany
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Moreno-Rueda G. Preen oil and bird fitness: a critical review of the evidence. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 92:2131-2143. [PMID: 28231637 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence for the many hypotheses of potential functions of this gland. The main conclusion is that our understanding of this gland is still in its infancy. Even for functions that are considered valid by most researchers, real evidence is scarce. Although it seems clear that preen oil contributes to plumage maintenance, we do not know whether this is due to a role in reducing mechanical abrasion or in reducing feather degradation by keratinophilic organisms. Evidence for a function against pathogenic bacteria is mixed, as preen oil has been demonstrated to act against bacteria in vitro, but not in vivo. Nor is it clear whether preen oil can combat pathogenic bacteria on eggshells to improve hatching success. Studies on the effect of preen oil against dermatophytes are very scarce and there is no evidence of a function against chewing lice. It seems clear, however, that preen oil improves waterproofing, but it is unclear whether this acts by creating a hydrophobic layer or simply by improving plumage structure. Several hypotheses proposed for the function of preen oil have been poorly studied, such as reduction of drag in flight. Similarly, we do not know whether preen oil functions as repellent against predators or parasites, makes birds unpalatable, or functions to camouflage birds with ambient odours. On the other hand, a growing body of work shows the important implications of volatiles in preen oil with regard to social communication in birds. Moreover, preen oil clearly alters plumage colouration. Finally, studies examining the impact of preen oil on fitness are lacking, and the costs or limitations of preen-oil production also remain poorly known. The uropygial gland appears to have several non-mutually exclusive functions in birds, and thus is likely to be subject to several selective pressures. Therefore, future studies should consider how the inevitable trade-offs among different functions drive the evolution of uropygial gland secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Moreno-Rueda
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
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Silva L, Antunes A. Vomeronasal Receptors in Vertebrates and the Evolution of Pheromone Detection. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2017; 5:353-370. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022516-022801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Silva
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4050-208 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4050-208 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Leclaire S, Strandh M, Mardon J, Westerdahl H, Bonadonna F. Odour-based discrimination of similarity at the major histocompatibility complex in birds. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20162466. [PMID: 28077776 PMCID: PMC5247505 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animals are known to preferentially mate with partners that are dissimilar at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in order to maximize the antigen binding repertoire (or disease resistance) in their offspring. Although several mammals, fish or lizards use odour cues to assess MHC similarity with potential partners, the ability of birds to assess MHC similarity using olfactory cues has not yet been explored. Here we used a behavioural binary choice test and high-throughput-sequencing of MHC class IIB to determine whether blue petrels can discriminate MHC similarity based on odour cues alone. Blue petrels are seabirds with particularly good sense of smell, they have a reciprocal mate choice and are known to preferentially mate with MHC-dissimilar partners. Incubating males preferentially approached the odour of the more MHC-dissimilar female, whereas incubating females showed opposite preferences. Given their mating pattern, females were, however, expected to show preference for the odour of the more MHC-dissimilar male. Further studies are needed to determine whether, as in women and female mice, the preference varies with the reproductive cycle in blue petrel females. Our results provide the first evidence that birds can use odour cues only to assess MHC dissimilarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Maria Strandh
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Ecology building, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jérôme Mardon
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Helena Westerdahl
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Ecology building, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
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Costanzo A, Panseri S, Giorgi A, Romano A, Caprioli M, Saino N. The Odour of Sex: Sex-Related Differences in Volatile Compound Composition among Barn Swallow Eggs Carrying Embryos of Either Sex. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165055. [PMID: 27851741 PMCID: PMC5112806 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian communication has been traditionally believed to be mainly mediated by visual and auditory channels. However, an increasing number of studies are disclosing the role of olfaction in the interaction of birds with their social environment and with other species, as well as in other behaviors such as nest recognition, food location and navigation. Olfaction has also been suggested to play a role in parent-offspring communication not only in the post- but also in the pre-hatching period. Volatile compounds produced during embryogenesis and passively released through the eggshell pores may indeed represent the only cue at parents' disposal to assess offspring quality, including the sex composition of their clutch before hatching. In turn, sex identification before hatching may mediate adaptive strategies of allocation to either sex. In the present study, we analyzed odour composition of barn swallow eggs incubated in their nest in order to identify any sex-related differences in volatile compounds emitted. For the first time in any bird species, we also investigated whether odour composition is associated with relatedness. The evidence of differences in odour composition among eggs containing embryos of either sex indicates that parents have a cue to identify their brood sex composition even before hatching which can be used to modulate their behavior accordingly. Moreover, odour similarity within nests may represent the prerequisite for kin recognition in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Giorgi
- Centre for Applied Studies in the Sustainable Management and Protection of the Mountain Environment, Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Edolo, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Malouines C. Counter-perfume: using pheromones to prevent female remating. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1570-1581. [PMID: 27554169 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Strong selection to secure paternity in polyandrous species leads to the evolution of numerous chemicals in the male's seminal content. These include antiaphrodisiac pheromones, which are transmitted from the male to the female during mating to render her unattractive to subsequent males. An increasing number of species have been shown to use these chemicals. Herein, I examine the taxonomic distribution of species using antiaphrodisiac pheromones, the selection pressures driving their evolution in both males and females, and the ecological interactions in which these pheromones are involved. The literature review shows a highly skewed distribution of antiaphrodisiac use; all species currently known to use them are insects with the exception of the garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis and T. radix. Nonetheless, many taxa have not yet been tested for the presence of antiaphrodisiacs, in groups both closely and distantly related to species known to express them. Within the Insecta, there have been multiple cases of convergent evolution of antiaphrodisiac pheromones using different chemical compounds and methods of transmission. Antiaphrodisiacs usually benefit males, but their effect on females is variable as they can either prevent them from mating multiple times or help them reduce male harassment when they are unreceptive. Some indirect costs of antiaphrodisiacs also impact both males and females, but more research is needed to determine how general this pattern is. Additional research is also important to understand how antiaphrodisiacs interact with the reproductive biology and sexual communication in different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Malouines
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, U.S.A
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Krause ET, Schrader L, Caspers BA. Olfaction in Chicken (Gallus gallus): A Neglected Mode of Social Communication? Front Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2016.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Whitear AK, Wang X, Catling P, McLennan DA, Davy CM. The scent of a hatchling: intra-species variation in the use of chemosensory cues by neonate freshwater turtles. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia K. Whitear
- Wildlife Preservation Canada; 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Canada
| | - Xiaotian Wang
- Wildlife Preservation Canada; 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Canada
| | - Pauline Catling
- Wildlife Preservation Canada; 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Canada
| | - Deborah A. McLennan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Toronto; 25 Willcocks Street Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Christina M. Davy
- Wildlife Preservation Canada; 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Canada
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29
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Gutierrez-Ibanez C, Iwaniuk AN, Jensen M, Graham DJ, Pogány Á, Mongomery BC, Stafford JL, Luksch H, Wylie DR. Immunohistochemical localization of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CARTp) in the brain of the pigeon (Columba livia) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:3747-3773. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew N. Iwaniuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience; University of Lethbridge; Lethbridge AB T1K 3M4 Canada
| | - Megan Jensen
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - David J. Graham
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Ákos Pogány
- Department of Ethology; Eötvös Loránd University; H-1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - Benjamin C. Mongomery
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - James L. Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Harald Luksch
- Department of Zoology; Technical University of Munich; 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan Germany
| | - Douglas R. Wylie
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB T6G 2E9 Canada
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Buchinger TJ, Siefkes MJ, Zielinski BS, Brant CO, Li W. Chemical cues and pheromones in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Front Zool 2015; 12:32. [PMID: 26609313 PMCID: PMC4658815 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-015-0126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical cues and pheromones guide decisions in organisms throughout the animal kingdom. The neurobiology, function, and evolution of olfaction are particularly well described in insects, and resulting concepts have driven novel approaches to pest control. However, aside from several exceptions, the olfactory biology of vertebrates remains poorly understood. One exception is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which relies heavily upon olfaction during reproduction. Here, we provide a broad review of the chemical cues and pheromones used by the sea lamprey during reproduction, including overviews of the sea lamprey olfactory system, chemical cues and pheromones, and potential applications to population management. The critical role of olfaction in mediating the sea lamprey life cycle is evident by a well-developed olfactory system. Sea lamprey use chemical cues and pheromones to identify productive spawning habitat, coordinate spawning behaviors, and avoid risk. Manipulation of olfactory biology offers opportunities for management of populations in the Laurentian Great Lakes, where the sea lamprey is a destructive invader. We suggest that the sea lamprey is a broadly useful organism with which to study vertebrate olfaction because of its simple but well-developed olfactory organ, the dominant role of olfaction in guiding behaviors during reproduction, and the direct implications for vertebrate pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Buchinger
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA
| | | | - Barbara S Zielinski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON Canada
| | - Cory O Brant
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA
| | - Weiming Li
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI USA
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Corfield JR, Price K, Iwaniuk AN, Gutierrez-Ibañez C, Birkhead T, Wylie DR. Diversity in olfactory bulb size in birds reflects allometry, ecology, and phylogeny. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:102. [PMID: 26283931 PMCID: PMC4518324 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative size of olfactory bulbs (OBs) is correlated with olfactory capabilities across vertebrates and is widely used to assess the relative importance of olfaction to a species’ ecology. In birds, variations in the relative size of OBs are correlated with some behaviors; however, the factors that have led to the high level of diversity seen in OB sizes across birds are still not well understood. In this study, we use the relative size of OBs as a neuroanatomical proxy for olfactory capabilities in 135 species of birds, representing 21 orders. We examine the scaling of OBs with brain size across avian orders, determine likely ancestral states and test for correlations between OB sizes and habitat, ecology, and behavior. The size of avian OBs varied with the size of the brain and this allometric relationship was for the most part isometric, although species did deviate from this trend. Large OBs were characteristic of more basal species and in more recently derived species the OBs were small. Living and foraging in a semi-aquatic environment was the strongest variable driving the evolution of large OBs in birds; olfaction may provide cues for navigation and foraging in this otherwise featureless environment. Some of the diversity in OB sizes was also undoubtedly due to differences in migratory behavior, foraging strategies and social structure. In summary, relative OB size in birds reflect allometry, phylogeny and behavior in ways that parallel that of other vertebrate classes. This provides comparative evidence that supports recent experimental studies into avian olfaction and suggests that olfaction is an important sensory modality for all avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R Corfield
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB, Canada
| | - Kasandra Price
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada
| | - Andrew N Iwaniuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB, Canada
| | | | - Tim Birkhead
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - Douglas R Wylie
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, Canada
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Yang SY, Walther BA, Weng GJ. Stop and Smell the Pollen: The Role of Olfaction and Vision of the Oriental Honey Buzzard in Identifying Food. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130191. [PMID: 26177533 PMCID: PMC4503435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of olfaction for various avian behaviors has become increasingly evident. So far, the use of olfaction for food detection among raptors has only been demonstrated for Cathartes vultures. The Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis orientalis) is a resident and migrant in Taiwan and regularly forages in apiaries. One of its foods in apiaries is yellow pollen dough, a softball-sized mixture of pollen, soybeans, and sugar that beekeepers provide as a supplementary food for bees. Given that pollen dough is not similar to any naturally occurring food, we hypothesized that buzzards identify the dough’s nutritious contents using olfaction, perhaps in combination with vision. Using a series of choice experiments in which individuals could choose between two doughs, we showed that (1) buzzards almost unerringly chose pollen-containing over pollen lacking doughs when otherwise the doughs were identical in size, shape, and yellow color; (2) buzzards always preferred yellow over black or green doughs if both doughs contained pollen; (3) buzzards still preferred pollen-containing over pollen-lacking doughs when both doughs were black, but at a lower rate than in (1). We statistically excluded the possible influences of the doughs’ relative brightness or of repeat visits by the same individuals. Our experiments thus suggest the use of a ‘multi-modal foraging strategy’ among buzzards whereby olfaction and vision are likely to be both used in identifying food at close distances. We also estimated the olfactory receptor gene repertoire size in the buzzard’s genome which is almost five times as large as that of three other raptor species. Therefore, olfaction is likely of far greater ecological importance to this species than to other raptor species. We suggest that olfaction should be considered in the design of behavioral and genetic studies to better understand the use of multiple senses in avian behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yi Yang
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Bruno A. Walther
- Master Program in Global Health and Development, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guo-Jing Weng
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Caro SP, Balthazart J, Bonadonna F. The perfume of reproduction in birds: chemosignaling in avian social life. Horm Behav 2015; 68:25-42. [PMID: 24928570 PMCID: PMC4263688 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction". Chemical cues were probably the first cues ever used to communicate and are still ubiquitous among living organisms. Birds have long been considered an exception: it was believed that birds were anosmic and relied on their acute visual and acoustic capabilities. Birds are however excellent smellers and use odors in various contexts including food searching, orientation, and also breeding. Successful reproduction in most vertebrates involves the exchange of complex social signals between partners. The first evidence for a role of olfaction in reproductive contexts in birds only dates back to the seventies, when ducks were shown to require a functional sense of smell to express normal sexual behaviors. Nowadays, even if the interest for olfaction in birds has largely increased, the role that bodily odors play in reproduction still remains largely understudied. The few available studies suggest that olfaction is involved in many reproductive stages. Odors have been shown to influence the choice and synchronization of partners, the choice of nest-building material or the care for the eggs and offspring. How this chemical information is translated at the physiological level mostly remains to be described, although available evidence suggests that, as in mammals, key reproductive brain areas like the medial preoptic nucleus are activated by relevant olfactory signals. Olfaction in birds receives increasing attention and novel findings are continuously published, but many exciting discoveries are still ahead of us, and could make birds one of the animal classes with the largest panel of developed senses ever described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P Caro
- Research Group in Behavioural Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, CEFE-CNRS (UMR 5175), Montpellier, France; Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacques Balthazart
- Research Group in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Research Group in Behavioural Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, CEFE-CNRS (UMR 5175), Montpellier, France
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Apps PJ, Weldon PJ, Kramer M. Chemical signals in terrestrial vertebrates: search for design features. Nat Prod Rep 2015; 32:1131-53. [DOI: 10.1039/c5np00029g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We review current information on intraspecific chemical signals and search for patterns in signal chemistry among modern terrestrial vertebrates (Amniota), including tortoises, squamate reptiles (amphisbaenians, lizards, and snakes), birds, and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Apps
- Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Laboratory for Wildlife Chemistry
- Botswana Predator Conservation Trust
- Maun
- Botswana
| | - Paul J. Weldon
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
- National Zoological Park
- Front Royal
- USA
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Corfield JR, Eisthen HL, Iwaniuk AN, Parsons S. Anatomical specializations for enhanced olfactory sensitivity in kiwi, Apteryx mantelli. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2014; 84:214-26. [PMID: 25376305 DOI: 10.1159/000365564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ability to function in a nocturnal and ground-dwelling niche requires a unique set of sensory specializations. The New Zealand kiwi has shifted away from vision, instead relying on auditory and tactile stimuli to function in its environment and locate prey. Behavioral evidence suggests that kiwi also rely on their sense of smell, using olfactory cues in foraging and possibly also in communication and social interactions. Anatomical studies appear to support these observations: the olfactory bulbs and tubercles have been suggested to be large in the kiwi relative to other birds, although the extent of this enlargement is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the size of the olfactory bulbs in kiwi and compare them with 55 other bird species, including emus, ostriches, rheas, tinamous, and 2 extinct species of moa (Dinornithiformes). We also examine the cytoarchitecture of the olfactory bulbs and olfactory epithelium to determine if any neural specializations beyond size are present that would increase olfactory acuity. Kiwi were a clear outlier in our analysis, with olfactory bulbs that are proportionately larger than those of any other bird in this study. Emus, close relatives of the kiwi, also had a relative enlargement of the olfactory bulbs, possibly supporting a phylogenetic link to well-developed olfaction. The olfactory bulbs in kiwi are almost in direct contact with the olfactory epithelium, which is indeed well developed and complex, with olfactory receptor cells occupying a large percentage of the epithelium. The anatomy of the kiwi olfactory system supports an enhancement for olfactory sensitivities, which is undoubtedly associated with their unique nocturnal niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R Corfield
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Amo L, Tomás G, Parejo D, Avilés JM. Are female starlings able to recognize the scent of their offspring? PLoS One 2014; 9:e109505. [PMID: 25299305 PMCID: PMC4192304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although there is growing evidence that birds may have individual chemical profiles that can function in several social contexts, offspring recognition based on olfactory cues has never been explored. This ability should be more likely evolved in colonial birds and/or species suffering brood parasitism, in which the risk of being engaged in costly misdirected parental care is high. Methodology/Principal Findings We performed a choice experiment to examine whether females of the spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor, a species that is colonial, and where a fraction of the population is exposed to intraspecific brood parasitism, can discriminate between the scent of their offspring and that of unrelated nestlings. We also explored whether the development of the uropygial gland secretion may play a role in such olfactory discrimination by performing the choice experiments to females rearing nestlings of two different ages, that is, without and with developed uropygial glands. Results showed that female starlings did not preferentially choose the scent of their offspring, independently of whether the gland of nestlings was developed or not. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that female starlings do not have or do not show the ability to distinguish their offspring based on olfaction, at least up to 12–14 days of nestling age. Further research is needed to examine whether odour-based discrimination may function when fledgling starlings leave the nest and the risk of costly misidentification is likely to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Amo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Gustavo Tomás
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
| | - Deseada Parejo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
| | - Jesús Miguel Avilés
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
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Mihailova M, Berg ML, Buchanan KL, Bennett AT. Odour-based discrimination of subspecies, species and sexes in an avian species complex, the crimson rosella. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Wyatt T. Introduction to Chemical Signaling in Vertebrates and Invertebrates. Front Neurosci 2014. [DOI: 10.1201/b16511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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The genetic architecture of chemosensory cues involved in species recognition: a behavioral approach in the house mouse. Behav Genet 2013; 44:56-67. [PMID: 24158628 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-013-9621-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The genetics of chemical signals is poorly understood. We addressed this issue in two subspecies of mice, Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus, comparing their odor phenotypes with that of their hybrids. Earlier studies indicated that these subspecies could be discriminated on the basis of their urinary odor. We assessed male odor phenotypes from perception of musculus mice acting as olfactometers. Our results point to a complex genetic determinism. Reciprocal F1 hybrids produced a distinct odor phenotype, with shared characteristics distinguishing them from their parents, and stronger similarity to domesticus than to musculus. These results are consistent with implications of genes with partial dominance and a parent of origin effect. Further, similarities between reciprocal F2 allowed us to reject a direct role of the Y-chromosome in shaping the odor phenotype. However we show that the X-chromosome could be involved in explaining domesticus phenotype, while epistasis between genes on the sex chromosomes and the autosomes might influence musculus phenotype.
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Caspers BA, Hoffman JI, Kohlmeier P, Krüger O, Krause ET. Olfactory imprinting as a mechanism for nest odour recognition in zebra finches. Anim Behav 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Bonadonna F, Sanz-Aguilar A. Kin recognition and inbreeding avoidance in wild birds: the first evidence for individual kin-related odour recognition. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Amo L, Avilés JM, Parejo D, Peña A, Rodríguez J, Tomás G. Sex recognition by odour and variation in the uropygial gland secretion in starlings. J Anim Ecol 2012; 81:605-13. [PMID: 22220811 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01940.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
1. Although a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues in sexual selection of birds has been only preliminarily studied. 2. We investigated for the first time whether a passerine bird, the spotless starling Sturnus unicolor, was able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using olfactory cues and whether the size and secretion composition of the uropygial gland convey information on sex, age and reproductive status in this species. 3. We performed a blind choice experiment during mating, and we found that starlings were able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using chemical cues alone. Both male and female starlings preferred male scents. Furthermore, the analysis of the chemical composition of the uropygial gland secretion by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed differences between sexes, ages and reproductive status. 4. In conclusion, our study reveals for first time that a passerine species can discriminate the sex of conspecifics by relying on chemical cues and suggests that the uropygial gland secretion may potentially function as a chemical signal used in mate choice and/or intrasexual competition in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Amo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, E-04120, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain.
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Kuenzel WJ, Medina L, Csillag A, Perkel DJ, Reiner A. The avian subpallium: new insights into structural and functional subdivisions occupying the lateral subpallial wall and their embryological origins. Brain Res 2011; 1424:67-101. [PMID: 22015350 PMCID: PMC3378669 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The subpallial region of the avian telencephalon contains neural systems whose functions are critical to the survival of individual vertebrates and their species. The subpallial neural structures can be grouped into five major functional systems, namely the dorsal somatomotor basal ganglia; ventral viscerolimbic basal ganglia; subpallial extended amygdala including the central and medial extended amygdala and bed nuclei of the stria terminalis; basal telencephalic cholinergic and non-cholinergic corticopetal systems; and septum. The paper provides an overview of the major developmental, neuroanatomical and functional characteristics of the first four of these neural systems, all of which belong to the lateral telencephalic wall. The review particularly focuses on new findings that have emerged since the identity, extent and terminology for the regions were considered by the Avian Brain Nomenclature Forum. New terminology is introduced as appropriate based on the new findings. The paper also addresses regional similarities and differences between birds and mammals, and notes areas where gaps in knowledge occur for birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne J Kuenzel
- Department of Poultry Science, Poultry Science Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA.
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Bertin A, Calandreau L, Arnould C, Lévy F. The developmental stage of chicken embryos modulates the impact of in ovo olfactory stimulation on food preferences. Chem Senses 2011; 37:253-61. [PMID: 22080043 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjr101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Like mammals, bird embryos are capable of chemosensory learning, but the ontogeny of their feeding preferences has not been examined. We tested if the timing of stimulation in chicken embryos modulates the impact of in ovo olfactory stimulation on later food preferences. We exposed chicken embryos to an olfactory stimulus for a 4-day period in the middle or toward the end of the incubation period. The chicks were tested for their preference between foods with and without the olfactory stimulus in 3-min choice tests and on a 24-h time scale. Regardless of the type of food (familiar or novel) or the duration of the test, the control chicks not exposed to the olfactory stimulus consistently showed significant preferences for non-odorized foods. Chicks that were exposed in ovo to the olfactory stimulus did not show a preference for odorized or non-odorized foods. Only those chicks that were exposed to the olfactory stimulus toward the end of the incubation period differed from the controls and incorporated a higher proportion of odorized food into their diets on a 24-h time scale. This result indicates that olfactory stimulation at the end of embryonic development has a stronger impact on later feeding preferences. Our findings contribute to the growing pool of recent data appreciating the impact of olfactory signals on behavior regulation in avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Bertin
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France.
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Borges RM, Ranganathan Y, Krishnan A, Ghara M, Pramanik G. When should fig fruit produce volatiles? Pattern in a ripening process. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hauser R, Wiergowski M, Kaliszan M, Gos T, Kernbach-Wighton G, Studniarek M, Jankowski Z, Namieśnik J. Olfactory and tissue markers of fear in mammals including humans. Med Hypotheses 2011; 77:1062-7. [PMID: 21944887 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pheromones are a mysterious world of chemical signals involved in conspecific communication. They play a number of key functions important for preservation of life of individual organisms, for their defence, survival of offspring and preservation of species. The best-known groups of pheromones include: trail pheromones, territorial pheromones, sex pheromones, aggregation pheromones, dispersion pheromones, repellent pheromones, social pheromones and alarm pheromones. Alarm pheromones are pheromones that are emitted by animals in threatening situations and inform members of the same species of danger. The identified alarm pheromones are synthesised by insects and aquatic organisms. Also humans are able to emit and perceive pheromones. Although alarm pheromones have not been isolated and identified in man so far, there is presumably evidence for their presence in humans. Pinpointing human alarm pheromones, determinants of experienced stress and inductors of provoked fear could have widespread consequences. Their identification could also be of significant importance for the practical utilisation of results by institutions responsible for safety and defence as well as law enforcement/crime detection and antiterrorist activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Hauser
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Debowa 23, 80-204 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Coffin HR, Watters JV, Mateo JM. Odor-based recognition of familiar and related conspecifics: a first test conducted on captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). PLoS One 2011; 6:e25002. [PMID: 21957471 PMCID: PMC3177858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of kin recognition in birds have largely focused on parent-offspring recognition using auditory or visual discrimination. Recent studies indicate that birds use odors during social and familial interactions and possibly for mate choice, suggesting olfactory cues may mediate kin recognition as well. Here, we show that Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), a natally philopatric species with lifetime monogamy, discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar non-kin odors (using prior association) and between unfamiliar kin and non-kin odors (using phenotype matching). Penguins preferred familiar non-kin odors, which may be associated with the recognition of nest mates and colony mates and with locating burrows at night after foraging. In tests of kin recognition, penguins preferred unfamiliar non-kin odors. Penguins may have perceived non-kin odors as novel because they did not match the birds' recognition templates. Phenotype matching is likely the primary mechanism for kin recognition within the colony to avoid inbreeding. To our knowledge this is the first study to provide evidence of odor-based kin discrimination in a bird.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather R. Coffin
- Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jason V. Watters
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jill M. Mateo
- Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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