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Odour-based social recognition in Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis

Leedale, AE; Thorley, J; Clutton-Brock, T

Authors

J Thorley

T Clutton-Brock



Abstract

The ability to discriminate between conspecifics functions in mate choice, kin-selected cooperation and territory defence. In mammals, olfaction plays a key role in such social interactions. Olfactory cues may be particularly important for subterranean mammals, for which visual and acoustic cues are less effective. Damaraland mole-rats live in groups comprising a breeding pair and their nonbreeding offspring. They are xenophobic, obligate outbreeders and independent dispersal represents the usual route to reproduction for both sexes. As yet, little is known about how dispersing individuals locate mates. Using a series of behavioural experiments, we reveal that mole-rats can discriminate between unfamiliar breeding groups and solitary, nonbreeders of the opposite sex by using odour cues. Our experiments showed that subjects spent more time investigating sand taken from other mole-rat groups than control sand, indicating an ability to recognize substrate-borne conspecific odours. Mole-rats also spent more time digging and sweeping in sand taken from the tunnels of unfamiliar, solitary animals of the opposite sex than sand taken from unfamiliar breeding groups and removed a higher volume of this sand during the experiments. Together, these results suggest an olfactory preference in both sexes for solitary, opposite-sex animals over breeding groups. Our results are supported by observations from the field that immigration into breeding groups is rare, with dispersing females typically establishing new groups, where they are subsequently joined by unfamiliar males. This study supports olfaction as a potential recognition cue which may facilitate adaptive dispersal.

Citation

Leedale, A., Thorley, J., & Clutton-Brock, T. (2021). Odour-based social recognition in Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis. Animal Behaviour, 179, 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.019

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 10, 2021
Online Publication Date Jul 26, 2021
Publication Date Jul 26, 2021
Deposit Date Dec 6, 2022
Publicly Available Date Dec 6, 2022
Journal Animal Behaviour
Print ISSN 0003-3472
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 179
Pages 83-96
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.019
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.019

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