Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Martín, J., & López, P. (2011). Chapter 6 - pheromones and reproduction in reptiles. In D. Norris & K. Lopez (Eds.), Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates Vol. 3 - Reptiles, (pp. 141–167). San Diego: Elsevier.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (25 Jun 2011 12:41:46 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374930-7.10006-8 BibTeX citation key: Martn2011 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Echsen = saurians, Fortpflanzung = reproduction, Panzerechsen = crocodilia, Physiologie = physiology, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Schlangen = snakes, Verhalten = ethology Creators: López, Lopez, Martín, Norris Publisher: Elsevier (San Diego) Collection: Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates |
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| Abstract |
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Pheromones are chemicals involved in intraspecific communication in many animals. Reptiles rely more on their chemical senses than any other vertebrate class and many behavioral studies suggest that chemical cues (sex pheromones) are important in the communication and reproduction of many reptiles. However, although there are some descriptions of glandular chemical products that might potentially function as pheromones, there has been little research that has linked these chemicals with their roles in communication and reproductive behavior. Some recent studies, mainly with snakes and lizards, have started to reveal the importance of specific pheromones in reproduction and sexual selection. We review the results of experiments showing that pheromones are involved in sex and individual recognition, territoriality, intrasexual aggression between males, mate choice, and reproductive decisions. Pheromones not only inform on the presence and sex of a conspecific, but also may provide reliable information on the characteristics, quality, and health state of the sender, which other individuals may use in their reproductive decisions. We are also starting to understand how chemical communication systems evolved in reptiles by examining both the diversity of pheromones and the underlying physiological and endocrinological mechanisms involved in their production and expression. These physiological mechanisms, specially the alternative roles of some chemicals in other metabolic functions such as the maintenance of the immune system, may also explain how pheromones have evolved to be used as reliable sexual signals in reproduction.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |