Beyond species recognition: somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication.

ABSTRACT: Long-range sex pheromones have been subjected to substantial research with a particular focus on their biosynthesis, peripheral perception, central processing and the resulting orientation behaviour of perceivers. Fundamental to the research on sex attractants was the assumption that they primarily coordinate species recognition. However, especially when they are produced by the less limiting sex (usually males), the evolution of heightened condition dependence might be expected and long-range sex pheromones might, therefore, also inform about a signaller's quality. Here we provide, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive study of the role of a male's long-range pheromone in mate choice that combines chemical analyses, video observations and field experiments with a multifactorial manipu

SUBMITTER: Chemnitz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4528514 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature