Editorial: The Importance of Olfaction in Intra- and Interspecific Communication

Luisa Amo,Francesco Bonadonna

doi:10.3389/fevo.2018.00071

Abstract

Editorial: The Importance of Olfaction in Intra- and Interspecific Communication

Highlights

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Semiochemicals are substances, emitted by organisms, carrying a message used in communication. They can range from a single compound that induce a fixed response, such as pheromones released by females to attract males, to complex mixtures of chemical compounds that provide information about the sender to which conspecifics may or may not react depending on their motivation or physiological state (Wyatt, 2014)
Semiochemicals under genetic control provide information about species, gender and kin recognition, genetic compatibility, and genetic qualities (Wyatt, 2014). They may signal Major Histocompatibility Complex polymorphism participating in mate choice in different taxa (Milinski, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Chemical cues are possibly the most ancient mechanism used by organisms for communication and to assess their environment. They can range from a single compound that induce a fixed response, such as pheromones released by females to attract males, to complex mixtures of chemical compounds that provide information about the sender to which conspecifics may or may not react depending on their motivation or physiological state (Wyatt, 2014).

Results

Conclusion