Pheromonal enrichment in the zoo: An empirical approach with Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
The use of odors is a popular form of sensory enrichment, yet few studies have investigated the longer lasting effects of biologically relevant chemical signals like pheromones. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are unique because they are commonly held in zoos and utilize two single-compounds to synchronize reproduction: frontalin (a pheromone produced by male elephants in […]
Pheromonal enrichment in the zoo: An empirical approach with Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
The use of odors is a popular form of sensory enrichment, yet few studies have investigated the longer lasting effects of biologically relevant chemical signals like pheromones. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are unique because they are commonly held in zoos and utilize two single-compounds to synchronize reproduction: frontalin (a pheromone produced by male elephants in […]
Pheromonal enrichment in the zoo: An empirical approach with Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
The use of odors is a popular form of sensory enrichment, yet few studies have investigated the longer lasting effects of biologically relevant chemical signals like pheromones. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are unique because they are commonly held in zoos and utilize two single-compounds to synchronize reproduction: frontalin (a pheromone produced by male elephants in […]
A tangerine-scented social odour in a monogamous seabird
Social odours, conspecific chemical signals, have been demonstrated in every class of vertebrate except birds. The apparent absence is surprising, as every bird examined has a functional olfactory system and many produce odours. The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella), a monogamous seabird, exhibits a distinctive tangerine-like scent closely associated with courtship. Using T-maze experiments, we tested […]
First Disclosure and Preliminary Investigation of a Liquid Released from the Ears of African Elephants
This report is the first documentation, both behaviorally and chemically, of a phenomenon observed among African elephants (Loxodonta africana) whereby a sudden, often stream-like discharge of liquid is seen from the auricular orifice. During this initial investigation, multiple samples of the fluid have been collected for analysis of physical properties and components. Trace organic chemicals […]
Hormone receptor expression in interdigital glands of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20002.abs Recently, our group performed the first histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis of eccrine-type interdigital glands in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) (Lamps et al. [2001] Res Vet Sci 71:197–200). Since morphologically similar human eccrine glands express reproductive hormone receptors (including androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors), the purpose of the current study was to […]
Chemical communication of handling stress in fish
We investigated whether juveniles of the nocturnal fish jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) and the diurnal fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are able to chemically communicate stress to conspecifics. Groups of 8 fish were reared in tanks under recirculated water (water exchanged among all the tanks) for each species. Fish were handled in half of the tanks […]
Informative Breath: Olfactory Cues Sought During Social Foraging Among Old World Monkeys (Mandrillus sphinx, M. leucophaeus, and Papio anubis)
Sociality provides a unique opportunity for animals to acquire information and learn from others. Especially during foraging, where trial-and-error food selection might be fatal, conspecifics could act as valuable sources of information. During a six-year study across captive, semifree ranging, and wild Old World monkeys, I investigated whether individuals garnered olfactory-based information from their group […]
Giant Panda Scent-Marking Strategies in the Wild: Role of Season, Sex and Marking Surface
Scent marking entails significant energetic and opportunity costs that demand efficiency. Signal detection theory offers a theoretical framework that generates testable hypotheses regarding where animals should place scent signals in the environment in a way that maximizes their probability of detection by target receivers while minimizing costs of production and distribution. Solitary and reliant on […]
Facultative Pheromonal Mimicry in Snakes: “She-Males” Attract Courtship Only When it is Useful
Males of many animal species mimic females, and thereby deceive rival males. Facultative shifts in posture, color, or movement allow a male using visually-based mimicry to adopt and terminate mimicry rapidly. Pheromonal mimicry is rare in vertebrates perhaps because it is difficult to redeploy pheromones rapidly enough to adjust male tactics to local conditions. In […]