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Sci Rep

Title:		Odour dialects among wild mammals
Author(s):		Kean EF; Bruford MW; Russo IM; Muller CT; Chadwick EA;
Address:		"Cardiff University, School of Bioscience, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales. Cardiff University, School of Bioscience, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales. ChadwickEA@cardiff.ac.uk"
Journal Title:		Sci Rep
Year:		2017
Volume:		20171019
Issue:		1
Page Number:		13593 -
DOI:		10.1038/s41598-017-12706-8
ISSN/ISBN:		2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Across multiple taxa, population structure and dynamics depend on effective signalling between individuals. Among mammals, chemical communication is arguably the most important sense, underpinning mate choice, parental care, territoriality and even disease transmission. There is a growing body of evidence that odours signal genetic information that may confer considerable benefits including inbreeding avoidance and nepotism. To date, however, there has been no clear evidence that odours encode population-level information in wild mammals. Here we demonstrate for the first time the existence of 'odour dialects' in genetically distinct mammalian subpopulations across a large geographical scale. We found that otters, Lutra lutra, from across the United Kingdom possess sex and biogeography-specific odours. Subpopulations with the most distinctive odour profiles are also the most genetically diverse but not the most genetically differentiated. Furthermore, geographic distance between individuals does not explain regional odour differences, refuting other potential explanations such as group odour sharing behaviour. Differences in the language of odours between subpopulations have the potential to affect individual interactions, which could impact reproduction and gene-flow"
Keywords:		"Anal Sacs/*physiology Animals Female Genetic Variation Genetics, Population Male Mammals *Odorants Otters/genetics/*physiology United Kingdom Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis;"
Notes:		"MedlineKean, Eleanor Freya Bruford, Michael William Russo, Isa-Rita M Muller, Carsten Theodor Chadwick, Elizabeth Anna eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2017/10/21 Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 19; 7(1):13593. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12706-8"