Abstract
A recent study in BMC Evolutionary Biology has shown that genetically similar individual ring-tailed lemurs are also more similar in their scent composition, suggesting a possible mechanism of kin recognition. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal challenges ahead in achieving a true systems-level understanding of this process and its outcomes.See research article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/9/281.
Highlights
A recent study in BMC Evolutionary Biology has shown that genetically similar individual ring-tailed lemurs are more similar in their scent composition, suggesting a possible mechanism of kin recognition
Demonstrating a significant correlation between genetic similarity in a captive population of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and similarity of volatile chemicals in their genital gland secretions, as assessed by gas-chromatography massspectrometry. e genetic similarity of two individuals is manifest in the odor profile
For the past 30 years, the focus on genetic mechanisms underlying vertebrate kin recognition through odors has been on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which is often held to be the major genetic component apparently determining an individual’s scent
Summary
A recent study in BMC Evolutionary Biology has shown that genetically similar individual ring-tailed lemurs are more similar in their scent composition, suggesting a possible mechanism of kin recognition. If lemurs used a measure of chemical distance based on all volatile compounds that are shared within or between the sexes, it would only be of very limited value in assessing kinship because of the considerable range in that measure between individuals of intermediate genetic relatedness.
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