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Sampling and Analysis of Animal Scent Signals
Published on: February 13, 2021
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Sweet tooth: Elephants detect fruit sugar levels based on scent alone
Omer Nevo1,2,3, Melissa H Schmitt4,5, Manfred Ayasse1
1Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics Ulm University Ulm Germany.
Ecology and Evolution
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Elephants can smell sugar content in fruits. This study shows elephants identify sweeter marula fruits by scent alone, likely using ethanol and ethyl acetate signals.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Plant Science
Background:
- Food quality assessment is vital for survival.
- Fleshy fruits attract animals for seed dispersal.
- Fruit scent is an evolved plant-animal communication system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if fruit scent signals sugar content.
- To determine if elephants can assess fruit sugar levels by scent alone.
Main Methods:
- Paired-choice feeding tests with African elephants.
- Used marula fruits (Sclerocarya birrea).
- Analyzed volatile chemical compounds.
Main Results:
- Elephants identified more sugar-rich fruits by scent.
- Ethanol and ethyl acetate were key scent compounds.
- These compounds are downstream products of sugar fermentation.
Conclusions:
- Fruit scent honestly signals sugar content to elephants.
- Elephant olfaction plays a key role in feeding ecology.
- This highlights plant-animal coevolution in seed dispersal.
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