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

通过气味标记的嗅觉交流：从功能到神经机制尽管我们对视觉和听觉信号的交流了解很多，但对气味的交流知之甚少，然而这种形式的交流对许多动物物种的社会行为至关重要。加强嗅觉交流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手段之一。本研究探讨了一种假设，即某些形式的气味标记是一种竞争形式，个体通过气味过度标记来宣传自己的相对活力和遗传质量。有证据表明，其他个体会评估这些过度标记，并将这些信息用于择偶决策或攻击性遭遇。测试这些假设的研究将在实验室和自然界中进行。其他的实验室实验将涉及到解释气味标记的感知机制，以及大脑中负责标记行为和评估气味标记的区域。综上所述，我们将采用多方面的方法来理解气味标记和气味信号的交流。这项工作将增加我们对嗅觉、气味交流、动物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.