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Gur O, Ben-Shlomo R, Osem Y, Shanas U. Mountain gazelles' (Gazella gazella) males use mutual dung middens in favorable locations. Integr Zool 2024. [PMID: 39030926 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Males of the mountain gazelle deposit dung middens (different colors and shapes represent middens of different haplotypes) in preferable forest plots and countermark the same middens (two color circles) at the boundaries of their territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oved Gur
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rachel Ben-Shlomo
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Biology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon, Israel
| | - Yagil Osem
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Uri Shanas
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Biology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon, Israel
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2
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Williams B, Campbell J, Kendall C, Tuttle J, Lynch EC. Exploring the behaviors and social preferences of a large, multigenerational herd of zoo-housed southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Zoo Biol 2023; 42:476-489. [PMID: 36807929 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The zoo-housed southern white rhinoceros (SWR) population is of special concern due to their lack of consistent breeding success. An enhanced understanding of SWR social preferences could better inform management planning by promoting natural social relationships, which can positively affect their well-being. The large, multigeneration herd housed at the North Carolina Zoo provides an ideal opportunity to examine rhino sociality across different ages, kin types, and social groupings. Eight female rhinos' social and nonsocial behaviors were recorded from November 2020 through June 2021 across 242 h. Activity budget analyses revealed strong seasonal and temporal variations in grazing and resting behaviors, with no stereotypic behaviors recorded. Bond strength calculations suggested that each female maintained strong social bonds with one to two partners. Beyond mother-nursing calf bonds, we found that the strongest social ties were maintained between calf-less adults and subadults in these dyads. Considering these findings, we recommend that management plans attempt to house immature females with calf-less adult females, as they may be necessary to the social landscape of immature females and, ultimately, improve their welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Williams
- Department of Biology, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer Campbell
- Department of Biology, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Jade Tuttle
- North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina, USA
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3
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von Dürckheim KEM, Hoffman LC, Poblete-Echeverría C, Bishop JM, Goodwin TE, Schulte BA, Leslie A. A pachyderm perfume: odour encodes identity and group membership in African elephants. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16768. [PMID: 36202901 PMCID: PMC9537315 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20920-2] [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: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Group-living animals that live in complex social systems require effective modes of communication to maintain social cohesion, and several acoustic, olfactory and visual signaling systems have been described. Individuals need to discriminate between in- and out-group odour to both avoid inbreeding and to identify recipients for reciprocal behaviour. The presence of a unique group odour, identified in several social mammals, is a proposed mechanism whereby conspecifics can distinguish group from non-group members. African elephants (Loxodonta africana) live in stable, socially complex, multi-female, fission-fusion groups, characterized by female philopatry, male dispersal and linear dominance hierarchies. Elephant social behaviour suggests that individuals use odour to monitor the sex, reproductive status, location, health, identity and social status of conspecifics. To date, it is not clear what fixed or variable information is contained in African elephant secretions, and whether odour encodes kinship or group membership information. Here we use SPME GC-MS generated semiochemical profiles for temporal, buccal and genital secretions for 113 wild African elephants and test their relationship with measures of genetic relatedness. Our results reveal the existence of individual identity odour profiles in African elephants as well as a signature for age encoded in temporal gland and buccal secretions. Olfactory signatures for genetic relatedness were found in labial secretions of adult sisters. While group odour was not correlated with group genetic relatedness, our analysis identified "group membership" as a significant factor explaining chemical differences between social groups. Saturated and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), derived from key volatile compounds from bacterial fermentation, were identified in temporal, buccal and genital secretions suggesting that group odour in African elephants may be the result of bacterial elements of the gut microbiome. The frequent affiliative behavior of African elephants is posited as a likely mechanism for bacterial transmission. Our findings favour flexible group-specific bacterial odours, which have already been proposed for other social mammals and present a useful form of olfactory communication that promotes bond group cohesion among non-relatives in fission-fusion mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina E M von Dürckheim
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. .,Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Louwrens C Hoffman
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Digital Agricultural Building, 8115, Office 110, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | - Carlos Poblete-Echeverría
- Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Thomas E Goodwin
- Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, Conway, AR, 72032, USA
| | - Bruce A Schulte
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd., #11080, Bowling Green, KY, 42101-1080, USA
| | - Alison Leslie
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Pluháček J, Tučková V, Šárová R, King SRB. Why wait to mark? Possible reasons behind latency from olfactory exploration to overmarking in four African equid species. Anim Cogn 2022; 25:1443-1452. [PMID: 35554766 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01625-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Whereas most studies on overmarking in mammals analysed the rate of overmarking, that those investigate time between exploration of an olfactory stimulus and the response to it remain less common, with inconsistent results. We examined the latency in time between elimination by the sender and sniffing by the receiver, and from sniffing and overmarking, in four captive African equid species to explore differences among species, and among age and sex classes. We investigated these latency time periods in light of three potential hypotheses explaining overmarking behaviour in equids: social bonds, group cohesion, and intrasexual competition. Analysing 1684 events of sniffing and 719 of overmarking among 130 individuals, we found that (i) the time from elimination to overmarking was shorter among female friends and in parent-offspring dyads, proving support to the social bond hypothesis; (ii) intraspecific differences in time periods do not reflect the social organisation of species, thus not supporting the group cohesion hypothesis; (iii) males were more attracted to elimination of conspecifics than females, and female's eliminations were inspected longer, in line with the sexual competition hypothesis and/or reproductive behaviour. In addition, we found that the younger foals came to sniff eliminations faster than older ones, and in larger groups foals devoted longer time to sniffing the elimination before overmarking. We concluded that examination of the elimination could be driven by motivations other than the decision to overmark. Whereas overmarking serves to express bonds to a familiar individual, the latency of overmarking reflects more reproductive interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pluháček
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Uhříněves, 10400, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Ostrava Zoo, Michálkovická 2081/197, 71000, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Departement of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, 71000, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Vladimíra Tučková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Šárová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Uhříněves, 10400, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah R B King
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1499, Fort Collins, USA
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6
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Soultan A, Nagy A, Attum O. Midden site selection in Dorcas gazelle: Larger is not always better. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13661-13667. [PMID: 34707807 PMCID: PMC8525146 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dorcas gazelles are believed to use middens to mark their territories and transmit information. Given the commitment to maintaining a midden, it is believed that middens are not placed randomly. We examined how the habitat (tree height and maximum canopy) and anthropogenic disturbance (camel and human presence) influenced the selection of midden sites by Dorcas gazelles in South Sinai, Egypt. Our results showed that Dorcas gazelles did not place middens at larger trees, while favoring relatively smaller trees and shrubs where the anthropogenic disturbance and perceived hunting risk are less. Our results, in light of the previous findings, suggest that selection of midden sites is species context-dependent behavior. In areas with less anthropogenic disturbance and hunting, Dorcas gazelles have been shown to select the largest trees of the same species as midden sites. In contract, in our study site with high anthropogenic disturbance and no protection from hunting, gazelles did not utilize the presumably optimum landmarks for midden sites. Our study showed that Dorcas gazelles instead utilized smaller trees and some shrubs that are less conspicuous and presumably less effective as advertisement sites, but safer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaaeldin Soultan
- Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Abdullah Nagy
- Department of ZoologyAl‐Azhar University in CairoCairoEgypt
| | - Omar Attum
- Department of BiologyIndiana UniversityNew AlbanyIndianaUSA
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7
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Schubert N, Nichols HJ, Winternitz JC. How can the MHC mediate social odor via the microbiota community? A deep dive into mechanisms. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have long been linked to odor signaling and recently researchers’ attention has focused on MHC structuring of microbial communities and how this may in turn impact odor. However, understanding of the mechanisms through which the MHC could affect the microbiota to produce a chemical signal that is both reliable and strong enough to ensure unambiguous transmission of behaviorally important information remains poor. This is largely because empirical studies are rare, predictions are unclear, and the underlying immunological mechanisms governing MHC–microbiota interactions are often neglected. Here, we review the immunological processes involving MHC class II (MHC-II) that could affect the commensal community. Focusing on immunological and medical research, we provide background knowledge for nonimmunologists by describing key players within the vertebrate immune system relating to MHC-II molecules (which present extracellular-derived peptides, and thus interact with extracellular commensal microbes). We then systematically review the literature investigating MHC–odor–microbiota interactions in animals and identify areas for future research. These insights will help to design studies that are able to explore the role of MHC-II and the microbiota in the behavior of wild populations in their natural environment and consequently propel this research area forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Schubert
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hazel J Nichols
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Jamie C Winternitz
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
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Thornton AM, Schuett GW, Swift JA. Urates of colubroid snakes are different from those of boids and pythonids. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Uricotelic species, such as squamate reptiles, birds and insects, effectively eliminate nitrogen as uric acid in a solid form commonly called urates. Observations made over a decade suggested that the voided urates produced by colubroids (modern snake species) exhibit remarkable differences from those of boids and pythons (ancient snake species). Here, we compare the urates generated by eight captive snake species fed the same diet. Although all fresh urates were wet at the time of excretion, those produced by modern snakes dried to a powdery solid, whereas those of ancient species dried to a rock-hard mass that was tightly adherent to surfaces. Powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses performed on voided urates produced by five modern and three ancient snakes confirmed their underlying chemical and structural differences. Urates excreted by ancient snakes were amorphous uric acid, whereas urates from modern snakes consisted primarily of ammonium acid urate, with some uric acid dihydrate. These compositional differences indicate that snakes have more than one mechanism to manage nitrogenous waste. Why different species use different nitrogen-handling pathways is not yet known, but the answer might be related to key differences in metabolism, physiology or, in the case of ancient snakes, the potential use of urates in social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon W Schuett
- Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo, NM, USA
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Swift
- Department of Chemistry, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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9
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Jenikejew J, Wauters J, Dehnhard M, Scheumann M. The female effect-how female receptivity influences faecal testosterone metabolite levels, socio-positive behaviour and vocalization in male Southern white rhinoceroses. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab026. [PMID: 33959291 PMCID: PMC8084027 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone is known to be essential for sexual maturation as well as for the display of behavioural traits linked to reproduction. At the same time, external factors such as the presence of receptive females may affect testosterone levels, stressing the hormone's substantial role in reproductive success. It is therefore of major interest to investigate the links between androgens, behaviour and the social environment especially in species that rely on a resilient reproduction rate, such as the white rhinoceros (WR). We collected faecal samples of 16 male Southern WR (Ceratotherium simum simum) aged between 1 and 44 years from 11 European zoos. Audio and video recordings were simultaneously taken from five of the study males that were sexually mature and had direct contact with receptive females. Our results showed a positive correlation of faecal testosterone metabolite (fTM) concentrations and progressing age up until adulthood followed by a decline in older males. While previous reproductive success did not show any effect, the access to receptive females resulted in higher fTM levels. Thereby, fTM concentrations remained at the same level regardless of the receptivity phase, while social cohesion with respective females, affiliative behaviour as well as call rates of Pant and Hiss distinctly peaked during the receptive compared to the non-receptive periods. Conclusively, the immediate presence of receptive females poses a female effect that enhances the overall androgen levels in males and, thus, might facilitate their reproductive success. However, androgens do not seem to be the main driver of behavioural changes during courtship or mating. By linking endocrinological and socio-behavioural factors, we were able to provide an applicable basis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive behaviour in male WR in captivity, thereby contributing to deeper understanding of potential reproduction impairments in a species whose population in captivity remains not fully self-sustaining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jenikejew
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jella Wauters
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Dehnhard
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marina Scheumann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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10
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Poirier AC, Waterhouse JS, Dunn JC, Smith AC. Scent Marks Signal Species, Sex, and Reproductive Status in Tamarins (Saguinus spp., Neotropical Primates). Chem Senses 2021; 46:6168037. [PMID: 33704442 PMCID: PMC8130507 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory communication is an important mediator of social interactions in mammals, thought to provide information about an individual’s identity and current social, reproductive, and health status. In comparison with other taxa such as carnivores and rodents, few studies have examined primate olfactory communication. Tamarins (Callitrichidae) conspicuously deposit odorous secretions, produced by specialized scent glands, in their environment. In this study, we combined behavioral and chemical data on captive cotton-top tamarins, Saguinus oedipus, and bearded emperor tamarins, S. imperator subgrisescens, to examine the role of olfactory communication in the advertisement of species, sex, and reproductive status. We observed no difference in scent-marking behavior between species; however, females marked more frequently than males, and reproductive individuals more than non-reproductive ones. In addition, tamarins predominantly used their anogenital gland when scent-marking, followed by the suprapubic gland. We collected swabs of naturally deposited tamarin anogenital scent marks, and analyzed these samples using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Despite a limited sample size, we established differences in tamarin anogenital mark chemical composition between species, sex and reproductive status, and identified 41 compounds. The compounds identified, many of which have been reported in previous work on mammalian semiochemistry, form targets for future bioassay studies to identify semiochemicals. Our non-invasive method for collecting deposited scent marks makes it a promising method for the study of olfactory communication in scent-marking animal species, applicable to field settings and for the study of elusive animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C Poirier
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Canada.,School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jacob C Dunn
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.,Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, UK.,Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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11
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Qiu X, Cao L, Han R. Analysis of Volatile Components in Different Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Insect Host Products. Molecules 2020; 25:E1603. [PMID: 32244487 PMCID: PMC7181253 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The artificial production of Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelia and fruiting bodies and the Chinese cordyceps has been established. However, the volatile components from these O. sinensis products are not fully identified. An efficient, convenient, and widely used approach based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-QTOFMS) was developed for the extraction and the analysis of volatile compounds from three categories of 16 products, including O. sinensis fungus, Thitarodes hosts of O. sinensis, and the Chinese cordyceps. A total of 120 volatile components including 36 alkanes, 25 terpenes, 17 aromatic hydrocarbons, 10 ketones, 5 olefines, 5 alcohols, 3 phenols, and 19 other compounds were identified. The contents of these components varied greatly among the products but alkanes, especially 2,5,6-trimethyldecane, 2,3-dimethylundecane and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyloctane, are the dominant compounds in general. Three categories of volatile compounds were confirmed by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). This study provided an ideal method for characterizing and distinguishing different O. sinensis and insect hosts-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richou Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong, China; (X.Q.); (L.C.)
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12
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Where to do number two: Lizards prefer to defecate on the largest rock in the territory. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103937. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Kücklich M, Weiß BM, Birkemeyer C, Einspanier A, Widdig A. Chemical cues of female fertility states in a non-human primate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13716. [PMID: 31548568 PMCID: PMC6757047 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50063-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies suggest that olfaction is important for communication throughout the order of primates. Callitrichids, in particular, have well-developed olfactory systems and use anogenital glands to produce scent marks. Behavioural studies have shown that male common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) distinguish between odours from the peri-ovulatory and luteal phase of females. However, large gaps remain in understanding the chemical underpinnings of olfactory cues. To investigate whether chemical cues vary with female fertility and reproductive quality, our study combined behavioural bioassays with chemical analyses of the anogenital odours of female common marmosets using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that cycle states, age and parity have an impact on chemical profiles and further identified affected chemical substances. Our results confirm and expand on previous behavioural evidence for cues of fertility. Our results indicate that cycle-related substances likely act as chemical cues. Males could use such olfactory fertility cues to optimize their mating effort and thereby increase their paternity certainty. This certainty could enhance paternal care for their infants. The results of our study open a promising avenue to find the metabolic pathways from which chemical cues of fertility arise and to unravel their importance during primate evolution in future comparative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlen Kücklich
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Research Group of Primate Behavioural Ecology, Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Brigitte M Weiß
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Primate Behavioural Ecology, Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Birkemeyer
- Research Group of Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Almuth Einspanier
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Primate Behavioural Ecology, Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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14
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McArthur C, Finnerty PB, Schmitt MH, Shuttleworth A, Shrader AM. Plant volatiles are a salient cue for foraging mammals: elephants target preferred plants despite background plant odour. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Penny SG, White RL, Scott DM, MacTavish L, Pernetta AP. Using drones and sirens to elicit avoidance behaviour in white rhinoceros as an anti-poaching tactic. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191135. [PMID: 31311472 PMCID: PMC6661359 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1135] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Poaching fuelled by international trade in horn caused the deaths of over 1000 African rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum and Diceros bicornis) per year between 2013 and 2017. Deterrents, which act to establish avoidance behaviours in animals, have the potential to aid anti-poaching efforts by moving at-risk rhinos away from areas of danger (e.g. near perimeter fences). To evaluate the efficacy of deterrents, we exposed a population of southern white rhinos (C. simum simum) to acoustic- (honeybee, siren, turtle dove), olfactory- (chilli, sunflower), and drone-based stimuli on a game reserve in South Africa. We exposed rhinos to each stimulus up to four times. Stimuli were considered effective deterrents if they repeatedly elicited avoidance behaviour (locomotion away from the deterrent). Rhinos travelled significantly further in response to the siren than to the honeybee or turtle dove stimulus, and to low-altitude drone flights than to higher altitude flights. We found the drone to be superior at manipulating rhino movement than the siren owing to its longer transmission range and capability of pursuit. By contrast, the scent stimuli were ineffective at inciting avoidance behaviour. Our findings indicate that deterrents are a prospective low-cost and in situ method to manage rhino movement in game reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Penny
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Rachel L White
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Dawn M Scott
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Lynne MacTavish
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Angelo P Pernetta
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
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Egg-laying decisions based on olfactory cues enhance offspring fitness in Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Sci Rep 2019; 9:3850. [PMID: 30846772 PMCID: PMC6405918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40479-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Selection of oviposition substrate is critical in holometabolous insects. Female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, locate and select vertebrate herbivore dung in which they lay their eggs. However, the preference for vertebrate herbivore dung by S. calcitrans females, its fitness consequences for offspring, and the semiochemicals used to locate and select oviposition substrates remain unclear. Using oviposition choice tests and life table bioassays we found that gravid female S. calcitrans prefer to oviposit on donkey and sheep dung, which also improves the performance of their offspring. GC-MS analysis followed by random forest classification identified β-citronellene and carvone as the most important predictive volatile organic compounds of donkey and sheep dung, respectively. In multiple choice oviposition bioassays, S. calcitrans laid more eggs in wet sand containing β-citronellene and carvone than in other treatments. The attractiveness of these compounds was confirmed in a field trial, with traps baited with β-citronellene and carvone catching more S. calcitrans. We conclude that gravid female S. calcitrans use semiochemical cues to choose oviposition substrates that maximise offspring fitness.
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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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Ritualised Dung Kicking by White Rhino Males Amplifies Olfactory Signals but Reduces Odour Duration. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:875-885. [PMID: 30009329 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Many mammals enhance their olfactory signals visually by depositing them in conspicuous locations such as well-travelled paths. It is also possible to enhance the odour itself through behaviours aimed at modifying odour emission rates. White rhinos defecate in communal middens. While defecating, territorial males kick sharply with their back feet which disperses their dung. Despite being a ubiquitous trait of territorial male white rhinos, the reason behind this behaviour is unclear. We hypothesised that the purpose of dung kicking was for olfactory signal amplification (OSA) in terms of an increased emission of volatile compounds (i.e. increased signal strength). Using dung collected from non-territorial adult males (because it is not possible to collect whole dung from territorial males), we show that the dispersal of male white rhino dung causes OSA by increasing the emission of hydrocarbon acids. The dung odour of territorial and non-territorial males differs only quantitatively, hence it is likely that the same emission patterns occur for territorial male dung odours following dung dispersal. The volatile compound indicating age of intact dung was toluene, but for dispersed dung it was acetophenone (similar to territorial male dung). Despite the benefits of OSA, dung dispersal carried a cost of decreased odour longevity. Thus, signal detectability is temporally reduced. However, territorial males likely counteract this by defecating in middens both before and during peak visitation times by other individuals (15:00-23:00). As a result, we suggest that dung kicking by territorial males amplifies signal strength, such that their dung odours are the most prominent and easily detectable by individuals visiting the middens. This would then better signal territorial ownership to both potential rivals and potential mates.
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Nair JV, Shanmugam PV, Karpe SD, Ramakrishnan U, Olsson S. An optimized protocol for large-scale in situsampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds. Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi V. Nair
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Bangalore India
| | - Pragadheesh V. Shanmugam
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Bangalore India
| | - Snehal D. Karpe
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Bangalore India
| | - Uma Ramakrishnan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Bangalore India
| | - Shannon Olsson
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; Bangalore India
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21
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Noonan MJ, Tinnesand HV, Buesching CD. Normalizing Gas-Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Data: Method Choice can Alter Biological Inference. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1700210. [PMID: 29709068 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate how different normalization techniques in GC-MS analysis impart unique properties to the data, influencing any biological inference. Using simulations, and empirical data, we compare the most commonly used techniques (Total Sum Normalization 'TSN'; Median Normalization 'MN'; Probabilistic Quotient Normalization 'PQN'; Internal Standard Normalization 'ISN'; External Standard Normalization 'ESN'; and a compositional data approach 'CODA'). When differences between biological classes are pronounced, ESN and ISN provides good results, but are less reliable for more subtly differentiated groups. MN, TSN, and CODA approaches produced variable results dependent on the structure of the data, and are prone to false positive biomarker identification. In contrast, PQN exhibits the lowest false positive rate, though with occasionally poor model performance. Because ESN requires extensive pre-planning, and offers only mixed reliability, and ISN, TSN, MN, and CODA approaches are prone to introducing artefactual differences, we recommend the use of PQN in GC-MS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Noonan
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Helga V Tinnesand
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences, and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University College of Southeast Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Christina D Buesching
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology Department, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, OX13 5QL, UK
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22
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Weiß BM, Kücklich M, Thomsen R, Henkel S, Jänig S, Kulik L, Birkemeyer C, Widdig A. Chemical composition of axillary odorants reflects social and individual attributes in rhesus macaques. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018; 72:65. [PMID: 29606788 PMCID: PMC5871651 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2479-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Scents play an important role in the life of most terrestrial mammals and may transmit valuable information about conspecifics. Olfaction was long considered of low importance in Old World monkeys due to their relative reduction of olfactory structures and low incidence of scent-marking behavior but has been increasingly recognized for mediating social relationships in recent years. Yet, studies investigating the composition of their chemical cues remain scarce. In the present study, we analyzed the potential information content of chemicals present on the skin of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We collected axillary secretions from 60 animals of the semifree-ranging population on Cayo Santiago (Puerto Rico, USA) with precleaned cotton swabs from which the secretions were subsequently extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rhesus macaque axillary odorants varied in their overall similarity and composition. This variation was attributable to differences in sex, group membership, and kinship and further appeared to reflect age and rank in parts of our sample. The compounds most strongly associated with this variation primarily comprised larger molecular weight aldehydes and steroids. Such compounds are considered to be perceivable by the primate olfactory system through close-range interactions or through breakdown into smaller molecules by bacterial fermentation. Overall, our results provide additional evidence that odors of Old World monkeys reflect a wealth of potential information about their carrier, which provides the basis for chemical communication via body odors; however, its use by conspecifics needs to be confirmed in bioassays. Significance statement One prerequisite for olfactory communication is the presence of systematic variation in animal odors that is related to attributes such as age, sex, or kinship. The composition of odors has been examined in numerous mammals but, with the exception of humans, remains poorly understood in Old World monkeys and apes, taxonomic groups in which most species do not show scent-marking behavior. In the present study, we show that the composition of axillary secretions of an Old World monkey, the rhesus macaque, reflects sex, group membership, relatedness, and possibly also age and rank. This variation thus provides a basis for olfactory communication in Old World monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte M. Weiß
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marlen Kücklich
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ruth Thomsen
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Stefanie Henkel
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Developmental and Comparative Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susann Jänig
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lars Kulik
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Birkemeyer
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Group, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Research Group of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Marneweck C, Jürgens A, Shrader AM. Dung odours signal sex, age, territorial and oestrous state in white rhinos. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2376. [PMID: 28077775 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals commonly communicate olfactorily via urine. However, the extent to which they communicate via dung, another waste product, is unknown. Behavioural studies suggest that mammals can obtain information from dung odours but are unclear about the information transmitted. Moreover, an understanding of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from dung is limited. To address this, we analysed the odours emitted from the dung of free-ranging white rhinos, and found that 2,3-dimethylundecane signalled an individual's sex, heptanal discriminated age class, nonane defined male territorial status and 2,6-dimethylundecane indicated female oestrous state. To validate these findings, we artificially reproduced key elements of the territorial and oestrous odour profiles (i.e. profiles likely to elicit behavioural responses from receivers). We then exposed free-ranging territorial males to these odours. In response, males elicited behaviours associated with the specific odours (e.g. territorial male (potential threat): reduced latency in assuming vigilance; oestrous female (potential mate): increased investigation). These results indicate that the VOCs identified from the dung of free-ranging individuals do transmit key information. Moreover, as white rhinos of all ages and sexes defecate communally, middens probably act as information centres. Furthermore, as many other mammals defecate communally, olfactory communication via dung odours is likely a widespread phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Marneweck
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Andreas Jürgens
- Chemical Plant Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Adrian M Shrader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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24
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Weiß BM, Marcillo A, Manser M, Holland R, Birkemeyer C, Widdig A. A non‐invasive method for sampling the body odour of mammals. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte M. Weiß
- Behavioural Ecology Research GroupInstitute of BiologyUniversity of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin SelectionDepartment of PrimatologyMax‐Planck‐Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Leipzig Germany
| | - Andrea Marcillo
- Research Group of Mass SpectrometryInstitute of Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Marta Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | | | - Claudia Birkemeyer
- Research Group of Mass SpectrometryInstitute of Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Behavioural Ecology Research GroupInstitute of BiologyUniversity of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin SelectionDepartment of PrimatologyMax‐Planck‐Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Leipzig Germany
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Leipzig Germany
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25
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Marneweck C, Jürgens A, Shrader AM. Temporal Variation of White Rhino Dung Odours. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:955-965. [PMID: 28983753 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In order for an olfactory signal to be effective, it must persist in the environment for an extended period. White rhino dung odours transmit information about sex, age, territorial and oestrous states. As these odours relay important information, temporal changes in the odour emission rate and/or composition may be critical in order for other individuals to obtain this information. Here, we examine how the dung odours of adult white rhinos (male: territorial and non-territorial; female: oestrous and non-oestrous) change over the short (hours) and long (seasons) term using headspace extraction. Additionally, we measure seasonal midden visitation and defecation frequency to link behaviours to seasonal changes in odour longevity. We found that during the dry season, territorial male dung odours persisted for 48 hours, while the odours of all other adults persisted for >48 hours. The high temperature and humidity of the wet season did not affect odour longevity of oestrous females, but decreased dung odour longevity (i.e. increased emission) of territorial males, non-territorial males, and non-oestrous females. Despite this reduction, neither males nor females adjusted their seasonal visitation or defecation frequency. With regard to a temporal indicator, 3,7-dimethly-1,6-octadiene signalled dung age during the wet season, while acetophenone signalled dung age during the dry season. Ultimately, our results provide the first detailed account of temporal changes of dung VOCs, and highlight the limitations of dung as a signalling medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Marneweck
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Andreas Jürgens
- Chemical Plant Ecology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Adrian M Shrader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Kücklich M, Möller M, Marcillo A, Einspanier A, Weiß BM, Birkemeyer C, Widdig A. Different methods for volatile sampling in mammals. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183440. [PMID: 28841690 PMCID: PMC5571906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies showed that olfactory cues are important for mammalian communication. However, many specific compounds that convey information between conspecifics are still unknown. To understand mechanisms and functions of olfactory cues, olfactory signals such as volatile compounds emitted from individuals need to be assessed. Sampling of animals with and without scent glands was typically conducted using cotton swabs rubbed over the skin or fur and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). However, this method has various drawbacks, including a high level of contaminations. Thus, we adapted two methods of volatile sampling from other research fields and compared them to sampling with cotton swabs. To do so we assessed the body odor of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) using cotton swabs, thermal desorption (TD) tubes and, alternatively, a mobile GC-MS device containing a thermal desorption trap. Overall, TD tubes comprised most compounds (N = 113), with half of those compounds being volatile (N = 52). The mobile GC-MS captured the fewest compounds (N = 35), of which all were volatile. Cotton swabs contained an intermediate number of compounds (N = 55), but very few volatiles (N = 10). Almost all compounds found with the mobile GC-MS were also captured with TD tubes (94%). Hence, we recommend TD tubes for state of the art sampling of body odor of mammals or other vertebrates, particularly for field studies, as they can be easily transported, stored and analysed with high performance instruments in the lab. Nevertheless, cotton swabs capture compounds which still may contribute to the body odor, e.g. after bacterial fermentation, while profiles from mobile GC-MS include only the most abundant volatiles of the body odor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlen Kücklich
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Manfred Möller
- Institute and Out-patient Clinic of Occupational Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Marcillo
- Research Group of Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Almuth Einspanier
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Brigitte M. Weiß
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Birkemeyer
- Institute and Out-patient Clinic of Occupational Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Junior Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig, Germany
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