Chemical Ecology of Vertebrates

Abstract

Published in 2006, Chemical Ecology of Vertebrates was the first book to focus exclusively on the chemically-mediated interactions between vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and other animals and plants. Reviewing research in three core areas - pheromones (where the interactions are between members of the same species), interspecific interactions involving allomones (where the sender benefits) and kairomones (where the receiver benefits), it pulls together information from widely scattered technical literature in many different disciplines into a coherent whole. Chapters on the environment, properties of odour signals, and production and release of chemosignals set the stage for discussion of more complex behavioural topics. While the main focus is ecological, dealing with behaviour and interactions in the field, it also covers chemoreception, orientation and navigation, the development of behaviour and the practical applications of chemosignals.

Stigmergy, collective actions, and animal social spacing

“…The first is that animal marking is a widespread behavior in the animal kingdom, and although each species has evolved specialized means of communication by depositing cues on the terrain, it serves the general function of broadcasting an animal's presence. Marks contain information about identity and relative dominance (13), with many vertebrates (14) and eusocial insects (15) making use of chemical signals but also with examples in which visual marks are used, such as feathers and feces by birds. Stigmergy represents a well-developed concept that would help in studying animal space use from a general theoretical perspective, independent of the types of signals present in the marks that get deposited or the sensory modalities required for the detection of those signals.…”

The safe usage of herbal medicines: counterindications, cross-reactivity and toxicity

“…anise (Pimpinella anisum)) may produce hormonal effects in infants, thereby affecting their development. 131,132 Some herbal medications may also affect the milk supply in lactating women. Indeed, many women use herbal medications during breast feeding for the purpose of increasing their milk production.…”

The importance of chemical communication studies to mammalian conservation biology: A review

“…Brown and Macdonald, 1985;Müller-Schwarze, 2006;Wyatt, 2003). However compared to the comprehensive body of knowledge gathered on invertebrates (e.g.…”

“…Olfaction differs from other forms of communication as signals are still conveyed in the absence of the sender and can therefore persist in the environment after the signaller has dispersed (Bradbury and Vehrencamp, 1998) (see Table 1 for utility and limitations of chemical communication). While the practical application of semiochemicals has been widely discussed, these often relate to domestic mammals and pest control (Müller-Schwarze, 2006;Wyatt, 2003). Linklater (2004) and Swaisgood (2007) discuss scent manipulation and the need for greater investigation into the role of olfaction in animal dispersal, territorial conflict and predator recognition to aid conservation.…”

“…Olfactory studies undertaken in the wild, under real ecological contexts will increase our understanding of populations and community interactions across species and within varying environmental conditions (Angeloni et al, 2010;Müller-Schwarze, 2006). For example many olfactory studies focus on chemosignals that are transmitted on land.…”