Vomeronasal Chemoreception in Vertebrates - A Study of the Second Nose

Evans, Charles S.

doi:10.1142/9781860949418

Cited by 19 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…It is possible that species with more altricial life-history traits use a more developed AOS in order to form mother-infant bonds. This appears to differ with suggestions that the AOS is particularly important for precocial infants [Evans, 2003;Wöhrmann-Repenning & Barth-Müller, 1994]. However, previous studies did not explicitly test for a positive association between specific life-history variables and the VNNE.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

“…As an aside, this and other studies support the idea that the timing of VNNE maturation varies among primates [Dennis et al, 2004;Evans, 2003]. A clear pattern is difficult to discern in primates at this point, and it is premature to suggest an association with life-history traits or activity pattern.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…These four life-history variables were selected because they vary across primate taxa more than other defining characteristics of precociality. Because early maturation of the MOS and AOS has been associated with infant precociality by some authors [Evans, 2003;Wöhrmann-Repenning & BarthMüller, 1994], we predicted that primates with longer gestation, later weaning age, relatively larger neonatal weights, and lack of nest use would have relatively better developed olfactory structures at birth. More specifically, we predicted that more precocial primates would have relatively larger neuroepithelia with a relatively larger proportion of mature olfactory neurons, as evidenced by expression of olfactory marker protein (OMP).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Smith

Alport

Burrows

et al. 2006

American J Primatol

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Explanations for the chemosensory abilities of newborn mammals focus primarily on food (milk) acquisition and communication (e.g., maternal-infant bonding). However, the relative importance of the main and accessory (vomeronasal) olfactory systems is hypothesized to differ at birth between altricial and precocial mammals. Strepsirrhines (lemurs and lorises) possess main and accessory olfactory systems, and vary in life-history traits related to infant dependency and maturation. Accordingly, this study examines the size and maturational characteristics of vomeronasal (VNNE) and olfactory (OE) neuroepithelia in strepsirrhines. Serially sectioned heads of 18 infant cadavers were examined microscopically for neuroepithelial distribution. Measurements were taken on the length of the nasal fossa on one side that was occupied by VNNE and OE. The data were corrected for body size using the cranial length or body mass, and were then examined for correlation with several life-history variables, as well as activity pattern. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to identify cells in the VNNE and OE that express olfactory marker protein (OMP), a marker of mature olfactory neurons. Relative OE extent was not significantly correlated with any of the life-history variables. Relative VNNE length was negatively correlated with relative gestation length and relative neonatal mass (P<0.05). However, when we corrected for phylogenetic relationships, we found no significant correlations between either of the neuroepithelial measurements and life-history variables. Immunohistochemical findings suggest that OE has more OMP-reactive cells than VNNE in all species. OMP-reactive cells appear to be less numerous in diurnal species compared to most nocturnal species. These results indicate that the VNNE may be relatively longer at birth in altricial species. However, it remains uncertain how phylogeny and/or ontogeny may explain these findings.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Smith

Alport

Burrows

et al. 2006

American J Primatol

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“…Olfaction permits chemical detection and rough chemical discrimination over a range of distances, whereas vomerolfaction is an extremely sensitive but short-range faculty utilized in acute discrimination of chemical stimuli (Cowles and Phelan 1958;Simon and Moakley 1985). The vomeronasal organ component of reptilian olfaction is the largest among any of the vertebrate groups (Evans 2003) and it is typically associated with tongue-flicking, an easily quantifiable behavior. For these reasons, a large number of studies have focused on reptilian discrimination of chemical cues via vomerolfaction (e.g., Cooper 1990;Burger 1991;Van Damme et al 1995;Van Damme and Quick 2001;Mullin et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrimination of chemical stimuli in conspecific fecal pellets by a visually adept iguanid lizard, Crotaphytus collaris

Wilgers

Horne

2008

J Ethol

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Iguanid lizards are known for visual acuity and a diminished vomeronasal organ, which has led to mixed conclusions on whether iguanids use chemical cues. The collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, is a territorial iguanid that lives in open rocky habitats. Fecal pellets placed prominently on open rocky perches may provide an ideal mechanism for intraspecific chemical signaling. In order to determine whether collared lizards can discriminate between chemical stimuli found in conspecific fecal pellets, we collected 24 males and 25 females to analyze sexspecific behavioral responses via tongue-flicks and a newly observed behavior for the species, gular pumps, to cotton swabs containing water, cologne, chemical stimuli from conspecific male and female fecal pellets, and the lizard's own fecal pellet. Both sexes were able to discriminate chemical stimuli from water via at least one behavior. Male collared lizards exhibited greater rates of response (tongueflick and gular pumps) toward male fecal pellets when compared to the negative water control. Our results also suggest individuals may be able to discriminate between fecal pellets, as indicated by generally greater (but nonsignificant) counts of male tongue-flick responses to male fecal pellets when compared to their own. Collared lizard chemical discrimination appears to utilize tongue-flick and gular pump behaviors, possibly associated with distinct chemosensory modes (vomerolfaction and olfaction). Based on this study, we suggest that chemical signals may play a greater role in intraspecific communication than previously thought in this highly visual lizard.

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“…Two receptor organs of the mammalian nasal chamber, the olfactory neuroepithelium for the main olfactory system (MOS) and the vomeronasal organ for the accessory olfactory (vomeronasal) system, are highly variable in primates (Bhatnagar and Meisami, 1998;Smith et al, 2001a;Evans, 2003). The MOS has been discussed in terms of evolutionary trends in primates concerning the relative size of the olfactory bulb compared to other sensory regions of the brain (Stephan et al, 1981;Bush et al, 2004;Kay et al, 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

Distribution of olfactory epithelium in the primate nasal cavity: Are microsmia and macrosmia valid morphological concepts?

et al. 2004

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The terms "microsmatic" and "macrosmatic" are used to compare species with greater versus lesser olfactory capabilities, such as carnivores compared to certain primates. These categories have been morphologically defined based on the size of olfactory bulb and surface area of olfactory epithelium in the nasal fossa. The present study examines assumptions regarding the morphological relationship of bony elements to the olfactory mucosa, the utility of olfactory epithelial surface area as a comparative measurement, and the utility of the microsmatic concept. We examined the distribution of olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) across the anteroposterior length of the nasal fossa (from the first completely enclosed cross-section of the nasal fossa to the choanae) in the microsmatic marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) compared to four species of nocturnal strepsirrhines (Otolemur crassicaudatus, O. garnetti, Microcebus murinus, and Cheirogaleus medius). Adults of all species were examined and infant C. jacchus, O. crassicaudatus, M. murinus, and C. medius were also examined. All specimens were serially sectioned in the coronal plane and prepared for light microscopic study. Distribution of OE across all the turbinals, nasal septal surfaces, and accessory spaces of the nasal chamber was recorded for each specimen. The right nasal fossae of one adult C. jacchus and one neonatal M. murinus were also three-dimensionally reconstructed using Scion Image software to reveal OE distribution. Findings showed OE to be distributed relatively more anteriorly in adult C. jacchus compared to strepsirrhines. It was also distributed more anteriorly along the nasal septal walls and recesses in neonates than adults. Our findings also showed that OE surface area was not a reliable proxy for receptor neuron numbers due to differing OE thickness among species. Such results indicate that nasal cavity morphology must be carefully reconsidered regarding traditional functional roles (olfaction versus air conditioning) assigned to various nasal cavity structures. At present, the microsmatic concept itself lacks a basis in nasal chamber morphology, since OE may have varying patterns of distribution among different primates.

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Vomeronasal Chemoreception in Vertebrates - A Study of the Second Nose

Cited by 19 publications

References 0 publications

Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Perinatal size and maturation of the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia in lorisoids and lemuroids

Discrimination of chemical stimuli in conspecific fecal pellets by a visually adept iguanid lizard, Crotaphytus collaris

Distribution of olfactory epithelium in the primate nasal cavity: Are microsmia and macrosmia valid morphological concepts?

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