Individual Chemical Profiles in the Leach’s Storm-Petrel

Jennings, Sarah L.; Ebeler, Susan E.

doi:10.1007/s10886-020-01207-0

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 142 publications

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“…We used previously described methods to measure the chemical profiles associated with Leach's storm-petrel feathers [38]. We analysed samples from each bird in triplicate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We quantified the peak areas of 80 feather compounds that were previously identified as bird-derived (versus from exogenous sources [38]). We standardized the data from each sample by dividing by the corresponding internal standard peak area and sample mass.…”

Section: (B) Chemical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Leach's storm-petrels choose their mates based on the MHC class IIB genes [37]. Individuals also possess unique odour profiles, a finding that is consistent with a genetic basis for personal odour [38]. However, we do not yet know whether these individual scents are related to MHC genotype.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feather chemicals contain information about the major histocompatibility complex in a highly scented seabird

et al. 2022

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Mate choice informed by the immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) may provide fitness benefits including offspring with increased immunocompetence. Olfactory cues are considered the primary mechanism organisms use to evaluate the MHC of potential mates, yet this idea has received limited attention in birds. Motivated by a finding of MHC-dependent mate choice in the Leach's storm-petrel ( Oceanodroma leucorhoa ), we examined whether the chemical profiles of this highly scented seabird contain information about MHC genes. Whereas previous studies in birds examined non-volatile compounds, we used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to measure the volatile compounds emitted from feathers that potentially serve as olfactory infochemicals about MHC and coupled this with locus-specific genotyping of MHC IIB genes. We found that feather chemicals reflected individual MHC diversity through interactions with sex and breeding status. Furthermore, similarity in MHC genotype was correlated with similarity in chemical profiles within female–female and male–female dyads. We provide the first evidence that volatile chemicals from bird feathers can encode information about the MHC. Our findings suggest that olfaction likely aids MHC-based mate choice in this species and highlight a role for chemicals in mediating genetic mate choice in birds where this mode of communication has been largely overlooked.

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“…We used previously described methods to measure the chemical profiles associated with Leach's storm-petrel feathers [38]. We analysed samples from each bird in triplicate.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (B) Chemical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feather chemicals contain information about the major histocompatibility complex in a highly scented seabird

et al. 2022

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“…Many studies have analysed the chemical composition of preen oil to decipher whether it contains socially relevant information. Preen oil can hold information about species identity (Mardon et al 2010, Van Huynh & Rice 2019, population identity (Whittaker et al 2010, Grieves et al 2019b, sex (Caspers et al 2022, reviewed in Grieves et al 2022, age (Sandilands et al 2004, D ıez-Fern andez et al 2021, breeding status (Reneerkens et al 2007, Mart ın-Vivaldi et al 2009, individual identity (Mardon et al 2010, Jennings & Ebeler 2020, genetic heterozygosity (Whittaker et al 2019a), major histocompatibility (MHC) genotype (Leclaire et al 2014, Slade et al 2016) and genetic relatedness (Potier et al 2018). Importantly, experimental studies have shown that birds can perceive such socially relevant variation in preen oil composition using their sense of smell (Whittaker et al 2011a, Leclaire et al 2017, Grieves et al 2019a.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…2009), individual identity (Mardon et al . 2010, Jennings & Ebeler 2020), genetic heterozygosity (Whittaker et al . 2019a), major histocompatibility (MHC) genotype (Leclaire et al .…”

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confidence: 99%

Preen oil composition of Pied Flycatchers is similar between partners but differs between sexes and breeding stages

Gilles

Fokkema

Korsten

et al. 2023

Ibis

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Preen oil, the secretion of the uropygial gland, may be an important source of body odour in birds. By characterizing the chemical composition of preen oil, we can describe the olfactory phenotypes of birds and investigate whether odours could have a function in sexual signalling or other chemical communication. Here we analysed the preen oil of a wild passerine, the European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, to find out whether it holds socially relevant information. We sampled both the female and male of breeding pairs during nestling rearing to test for sex differences and within‐pair similarity. We additionally sampled the females during incubation to test for changes across breeding stages and for individual repeatability of chemical profiles. Pair mates had similar chemical profiles in comparison with other breeding adults. Furthermore, we found evidence for sex differences and for changes across breeding stages. Notably, the preen oil of females was more diverse and more volatile than that of males, and the preen oil secreted by females during incubation was more volatile than that secreted during nestling rearing. However, we found no evidence for individual repeatability of chemical profiles across breeding stages in females. Our results point towards a function of preen oil in sexual signalling, although other functions should not be excluded. Our study is a first step towards understanding the role of odours in the social life of an important avian model species used in the study of mate choice and sexual selection.

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