Title: | D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex |
Address: | "Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0383, USA; Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0383, USA. Electronic address: cdrea@duke.edu" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.001 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1095-6867 (Electronic) 0018-506X (Linking) |
Abstract: | "This article is part of a Special Issue (Chemosignals and Reproduction). As highly visual animals, primates, in general, and Old World species (including humans), in particular, are not immediately recognized for reliance in their daily interactions on olfactory communication. Nevertheless, views on primate olfactory acuity and the pervasiveness of their scent signaling are changing, with increased appreciation for the important role of body odors in primate social and sexual behavior. All major taxonomic groups, from lemurs to humans, are endowed with scent-producing organs, and either deposit or exude a wealth of volatile compounds, many of which are known semiochemicals. This review takes a comparative perspective to illustrate the reproductive context of primate signaling, the relevant information content of their signals, the sexually differentiated investigative responses generated, and the behavioral or physiological consequences of message transmission to both signaler and receiver. Throughout, humans are placed alongside their relatives to illustrate the evolutionary continuum in the sexual selection of primate chemosignals. This ever-growing body of evidence points to a critical role of scent in guiding the social behavior and reproductive function throughout the primate order" |
Keywords: | "*Animal Communication Animals Humans Odorants Olfactory Perception/*physiology Pheromones/*physiology Primates/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Surveys and Questionnaires Body odor Hormone Human Mate choice Pheromone Primate Reproductive be;" |
Notes: | "MedlineDrea, Christine M eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review 2014/08/15 Horm Behav. 2015 Feb; 68:117-33. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.001. Epub 2014 Aug 10" |