Smelly plovers: communication, concealment and antisepsis

鸟类生物学中一个众所周知的事实是，大多数鸟类在尾基部的背侧都有一个尾羽腺（或尾臀腺）。长期以来，人们一直认为该腺体的蜡质分泌物有助于防水和羽毛的物理完整性。然而，最近的研究表明，这些分泌物的功能比以前认为的更加多样化和令人兴奋，分泌物的化学成分以及腺体的大小随季节变化。在这里，我们建议测试新的进化假说的羽毛腺的使用，包括其对化学通讯，化学伪装和保护鸡蛋免受微生物感染的影响，使用最先进的化学和微生物分析结合详细的现场实验。我们的工作不仅将为鸟类气味的感官生态学提供新的见解，而且将建立气味对生存和繁殖的重要性。

One of the well-known facts in avian biology is that the majority of birds possess a preen (or uropygial) gland on the dorsal side at the base of the tail. The waxy secretion of this gland has long been thought to aid waterproofing and the physical integrity of the feathers. However, recent research suggests that the function of these secretions is a lot more diverse and exciting than previously thought, with the chemical composition of the secretion as well as the size of the gland varying seasonally. Here we propose to test novel evolutionary hypotheses for preen gland use, including its impact on chemical communication, chemical camouflage and the protection of eggs against microbial infection, using state-of-the art chemical and microbiological analyses combined with detailed field experiments. Our work will not only provide new insights into the sensory ecology of avian scent, but will establish the significance of scent for survival and reproduction.