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Related Concept Videos

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Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
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Odour dialects among wild mammals.

Eleanor Freya Kean1, Michael William Bruford1, Isa-Rita M Russo1

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Wild otters exhibit unique "odour dialects" specific to their region and sex. These distinct chemical signals may influence population structure and gene flow in mammals.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Chemical Ecology

Background:

  • Mammalian population structure relies on effective individual signalling, with chemical communication (odours) playing a crucial role.
  • Odours are known to convey genetic information, aiding in mate choice, inbreeding avoidance, and nepotism.
  • However, evidence for odours encoding population-level information in wild mammals has been lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence of population-specific odours ('odour dialects') in wild mammals.
  • To determine if otter (Lutra lutra) odours vary geographically and by sex.
  • To explore the relationship between odour profiles, genetic diversity, and genetic differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of otter (Lutra lutra) scent markings across the United Kingdom.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify chemical compounds in odours.
  • Population genetic analyses to assess genetic diversity and differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Otters possess sex-specific and biogeography-specific odours, demonstrating 'odour dialects'.
  • Subpopulations with distinct odour profiles showed higher genetic diversity but not necessarily higher genetic differentiation.
  • Geographic distance did not correlate with regional odour differences, ruling out simple distance-based explanations.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of 'odour dialects' in a wild mammal population.
  • Odour differences between otter subpopulations have the potential to influence individual interactions, reproduction, and gene flow.
  • Chemical communication plays a significant role in structuring wild mammal populations beyond individual recognition.