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Comparing the sniffing behavior of great apes
Susann Jänig1,2, Brigitte M Weiß1,2, Anja Widdig1,2
1Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
American Journal of Primatology
|May 15, 2018
Summary
Great apes, including orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees, frequently use their sense of smell, particularly for evaluating food and their environment. Olfaction appears more crucial in great apes than previously assumed.
Area of Science:
- Primate Behavior
- Sensory Ecology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Human olfaction is well-studied, but great ape olfactory behavior remains largely unknown.
- Hominids were previously thought to have reduced olfactory importance due to smaller olfactory bulbs and fewer olfactory genes.
- Systematic studies on great ape olfaction are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use and importance of olfaction in four great ape species.
- To observe sniffing behavior and identify contexts of olfactory use in captive apes.
- To investigate species-specific, sex-specific, and age-specific variations in olfactory behavior.
Main Methods:
- Observation of sniffing behavior in captive Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii), Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), and bonobos (Pan paniscus).
- Categorization of sniffing events into social and non-social contexts (e.g., food, environment, conspecifics).
- Analysis of variations in sniffing frequency based on species, sex, and age.
Main Results:
- All investigated great ape species frequently utilized their sense of smell.
- Sniffing frequency varied significantly across species, sex, and age, with gorillas exhibiting the most sniffing events.
- All species predominantly used olfaction for non-social contexts (food, environment), with male chimpanzees being an exception, using it more for social inspection.
Conclusions:
- Olfaction plays a significant role in the daily lives of great apes, contrary to previous assumptions.
- The evaluation of environmental stimuli and food resources is a primary function of olfaction in these species.
- Male chimpanzees' distinct social olfactory behavior warrants further investigation into primate communication and social dynamics.
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