Avian Chemical Signatures: An Overview

Alves Soares T, Barbara AC, Loos H (2023)

Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2023

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Edited Volumes: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 15

Series: Symposium of Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (CSiV)

City/Town: Cham

ISBN: 9783031351594

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35159-4_6

Abstract

Intraspecific communication in birds can involve the visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. Although the latter is one of the least studied signalling modalities in birds, research of the last decades showed that a bird’s chemical profile varies according to different parameters. Here, we summarise current knowledge about chemical signatures of the volatile as well as the non-volatile fraction of preen oil, feathers and a bird’s overall odour, considering the potential transfer of informa­tion regarding species, genetic distance/compatibility, individual identity, sex, breed­ing season, and age. We found good agreement between the results of the publications reviewed here with regard to the substance classes being involved in the related chemical signatures. However, conclusive findings of specific compounds or mix­tures of compounds as key constituents of the considered chemical signatures are rare. Moreover, none of the investigated parameters was characterised by only one compound, supporting the notion that they are encoded in chemical signatures being built of multiple compounds. Based on the overview of available insights into avian chemical signatures, we finally delineate lines of future research in this emerging field of research.

Authors with CRIS profile

Tatjana Alves Soares Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung Helene Loos Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung

Involved external institutions

Universität Bielefeld DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Alves Soares, T., Barbara, A.C., & Loos, H. (2023). Avian Chemical Signatures: An Overview. In Benoist Schaal, Diane Rekow, Matthieu Keller, Fabrice Damon (Eds.), Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 15. Cham: Springer International Publishing.

MLA:

Alves Soares, Tatjana, A. Caspers Barbara, and Helene Loos. "Avian Chemical Signatures: An Overview." Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 15. Ed. Benoist Schaal, Diane Rekow, Matthieu Keller, Fabrice Damon, Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023.

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