Olfactory Communication by Scent Over-Marking: From Function to Neural Mechanisms

嗅觉交流：从功能到神经机制罗伯特·E·约翰斯顿虽然对视觉和声音信号的交流了解很多，但对气味交流知之甚少，但这种交流形式对许多动物物种的社会行为至关重要。增加对嗅觉交流的研究的时机已经成熟。气味标记是动物通过气味进行交流的主要方式之一。这项研究调查了一种假设，即某些形式的气味标记是一种竞争形式，通过这种竞争，个体通过气味过度标记来宣传他们的相对活力和遗传质量。有证据表明，其他人会评估这些过高的分数，并将这些信息用于做出择偶决定或在激烈的交锋中。检验这些假说的研究将在实验室和自然界进行。其他实验室实验将在解释气味标记以及负责标记行为和评估气味标记的大脑区域的感知机制上进行。总而言之，将采取多方面的方法来理解通过气味标记和气味信号进行的交流。这项工作将增加我们对嗅觉、通过气味进行交流、动物的社会行为以及社会和情感行为背后的神经机制的理解。

Olfactory communication by scent marking: from functions to neural mechanismsRobert E. Johnston Although much is known about communication by visual and acoustic signals, little is known about communication by odors, yet this form of communication is of primary importance for the social behavior many animal species. The time is ripe for increased investigation of olfactory communication. Scent marking is one of the primary means by which animals communicate by odors. This research investigates the hypothesis that some forms of scent marking a form of competition through which individuals advertise their relative vigor and genetic quality by scent over-marking. Evidence suggests that other individuals evaluate these over-marks and use this information for mate choice decisions or during aggressive encounters. Studies to test these hypotheses will be carried out in the laboratory and in nature. Other laboratory experiments will be carried out on the perceptual mechanisms involved in interpreting scent marks and in the areas of the brain responsible for marking behavior and for evaluating scent marks. In summary, a multi-faceted approach will be taken to understand communication by scent marking and odor signals. This work will increase our understanding of the sense of smell, communication by odors, social behavior in animals, and the neural mechanisms underlying social and emotional behavior.