Assessment of dominance hierarchy through urine scent marking and its chemical constituents in male blackbuck Antelope cervicapra, a critically endangered species

Rajagopal, Thangavel; Archunan, ‪Govindaraju; Geraldine, Pitchairaj; Balasundaram, Chellam

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2010.06.007

Cited by 24 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Furthermore chemical signals may communicate dominance through the signalling of competitive ability, as displayed by other mammals [11], [28], [29]. Scent marking frequency outside of the breeding season would then be dependent on the density of individuals within the population i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Hypothetico-Deductive Approach to Assessing the Social Function of Chemical Signalling in a Non-Territorial Solitary Carnivore

et al. 2012

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The function of chemical signalling in non-territorial solitary carnivores is still relatively unclear. Studies on territorial solitary and social carnivores have highlighted odour capability and utility, however the social function of chemical signalling in wild carnivore populations operating dominance hierarchy social systems has received little attention. We monitored scent marking and investigatory behaviour of wild brown bears Ursus arctos, to test multiple hypotheses relating to the social function of chemical signalling. Camera traps were stationed facing bear ‘marking trees’ to document behaviour by different age sex classes in different seasons. We found evidence to support the hypothesis that adult males utilise chemical signalling to communicate dominance to other males throughout the non-denning period. Adult females did not appear to utilise marking trees to advertise oestrous state during the breeding season. The function of marking by subadult bears is somewhat unclear, but may be related to the behaviour of adult males. Subadults investigated trees more often than they scent marked during the breeding season, which could be a result of an increased risk from adult males. Females with young showed an increase in marking and investigation of trees outside of the breeding season. We propose the hypothesis that females engage their dependent young with marking trees from a young age, at a relatively ‘safe’ time of year. Memory, experience, and learning at a young age, may all contribute towards odour capabilities in adult bears.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Hypothetico-Deductive Approach to Assessing the Social Function of Chemical Signalling in a Non-Territorial Solitary Carnivore

et al. 2012

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“…Both hexane and DCM extracted very few analytes despite extended periods of exposure (9 hr) with blackbuck fecal samples (Figure 2b,c). Even though DCM was successfully used to extract volatiles from urine in a previous study on captive blackbuck (Rajagopal et al, 2010), it was found to be not appropriate for fecal samples in the current study. Solvent extraction was recognized as a highly sensitive technique that requires little equipment and sample, albeit with the risk of degradation of the source sample as well as volatiles by the solvent during preparation of extracts.…”

Section: Volatile Samplingmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…All territories are repeatedly marked by males with dung and urine that accumulate to form dung piles (Figure 1a). A study on captive blackbuck (Rajagopal, Archunan, Geraldine, & Balasundaram, 2010) highlights variation in volatile profile of urine of males corresponding to dominance hierarchy. A study on captive blackbuck (Rajagopal, Archunan, Geraldine, & Balasundaram, 2010) highlights variation in volatile profile of urine of males corresponding to dominance hierarchy.…”

Section: Case Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dung piles are periodically evaluated by potential mates as well as competitors, possibly for olfactory cues about age (like in white rhino, Marneweck, Jürgens, & Shrader, 2017), strength, virility, genetic compatibility, or identity (e.g., MHC and MUPS in mice, Cotton, 2007) of the defecator. A study on captive blackbuck (Rajagopal, Archunan, Geraldine, & Balasundaram, 2010) highlights variation in volatile profile of urine of males corresponding to dominance hierarchy. Similarly, in a lek, olfactory cues from dung piles are likely contributors to spatial variation in mating success of males and, in that case, are hypothesized to have a spatial variation corresponding to mating success.…”

Section: Case Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An optimized protocol for large‐scale in situ sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds

Nair

Shanmugam

Karpe

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Chemical ecology is an ever‐expanding field with a growing interest in population‐ and community‐level studies. Many such studies are hindered due to lack of an efficient and accelerated protocol for large‐scale sampling and analysis of chemical compounds. Here, we present an optimized protocol for such large‐scale study of volatiles. A large‐scale in situ study to understand role of semiochemicals in variation in mating success of lekking blackbuck was conducted. Suitable methods for sampling and statistical analysis were identified by testing and comparing the efficiencies of available techniques to reduce analysis time while retaining sensitivity and comprehensiveness. Solid‐phase extraction using polydimethylsiloxane, analysis using a semiautomated detection of retention time and base peak, and statistical analysis using random forest algorithm were identified as the most efficient methods for large‐scale in situ sampling and analysis of volatiles. The protocol for large‐scale volatile analysis can facilitate evolutionary and metaecological studies of volatiles in situ from all types of biological samples. The protocol has potential for wider application with the analysis and interpretation methods being suitable for all kinds of semiochemicals, including nonvolatile chemicals.

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“…Sniffing the territorial male's dung would allow these individuals to determine territory ownership, and how recently the territorial male was in the area. Moreover, for potential challengers, sniffing the dung of the territorial male may provide insight into his body condition (Gosling & Roberts, 2001;Rajagopal, Archunan, Geraldine, & Balasundaram, 2010), and thus help assess whether he can be challenged for territory ownership. With regard to the sniffing of adult female dung, territorial males tend to monopolise mating opportunities within their territories (Owen-Smith, 1973).…”

Section: Information Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of middens in white rhino olfactory communication

2018

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White rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) use dung odours to transmit information about their sex, age, territorial status (males) and oestrous state. Moreover, as white rhinos defecate in communal middens (i.e. dung heaps, or latrines) it has been suggested that these middens may act as information centres.However, it is uncertain which individuals primarily transmit information via middens, or for whom this information is intended. Using video-recording camera traps, we investigated the behaviour of white rhinos at middens. We hypothesised that territorial adult males would visit, defecate, and sniff other dung more than other adults. In line with this, we found that they visited and defecated more than other individuals. Moreover, territorial males and potential male challengers were the main individuals to investigate dung piles. These olfactory investigations focused primarily on territorial male and adult female dung (male-male and female-male communication). Adult females and subordinate males also investigated territorial male and female dung as much as other males did, suggesting male-female and female-female communication. In addition to olfactory signals, there was a spatial aspect to midden use, where territorial males defecated only in the centre of a midden, while other individuals defecated primarily around the periphery. Yet, subordinate males also tended to defecate in the centre, suggesting an indication of residency. Lastly, territorial males defecated more 2 frequently than any other adult, and were able to do so by regulating their dung output (i.e. producing smaller volumes). Our results indicate that middens act as information centres, where the primary function seems to be for territorial males to transmit and obtain information. However, non-territorial males may also assess female reproductive state, while females may be assessing the quality of all males, and the number of other females using a midden. Ultimately, our results highlight the importance of middens in white rhino communication.

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Assessment of dominance hierarchy through urine scent marking and its chemical constituents in male blackbuck Antelope cervicapra, a critically endangered species

Cited by 24 publications

References 69 publications

A Hypothetico-Deductive Approach to Assessing the Social Function of Chemical Signalling in a Non-Territorial Solitary Carnivore

A Hypothetico-Deductive Approach to Assessing the Social Function of Chemical Signalling in a Non-Territorial Solitary Carnivore

An optimized protocol for large‐scale in situ sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds

The role of middens in white rhino olfactory communication

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