| Title: | Smelling right: the scent of male lemurs advertises genetic quality and relatedness |
| Author(s): | Charpentier MJ; Boulet M; Drea CM; |
| Address: | "Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Duke University, 108 Biological Sciences Bldg., Science Drive, Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383, USA" |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03831.x |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-294X (Electronic) 0962-1083 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Sexual selection theory predicts that competitors or potential mates signal their quality or relatedness to conspecifics. Researchers have focused on visual or auditory modes of signal transmission; however, the importance of olfactory indicators is gaining recognition. Using a primate model and a new integrative analytical approach, we provide the first evidence relating male olfactory cues to individual genome-wide heterozygosity and to the genetic distance between individuals. The relationships between male semiochemical profiles and genetic characteristics are apparent only during the highly competitive and stressful breeding season. As heterozygosity accurately predicts health and survivorship in this population, we identify scrotal olfactory cues as honest indicators of male quality, with relevance possibly to both sexes. Beyond showing that semiochemicals could underlie kin recognition and nepotism, we provide a putative olfactory mechanism to guide male-male competition and female mate choice" |
| Keywords: | "Animal Communication Animals Female Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Heterozygote Lemur/genetics/metabolism/*physiology Male Models, Statistical Pheromones/metabolism/*physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Smell/genetics/*physiology;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineCharpentier, Marie J E Boulet, Marylene Drea, Christine M eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2008/06/21 Mol Ecol. 2008 Jul; 17(14):3225-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03831.x. Epub 2008 Jun 28" |
