Comparisons of State and Likelihood of Performing Chemosensory Event Behaviors in Two Populations of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Schulte, Bruce A.; Bagley, Kathryn R.; Groover, M. E.; Loizi, Helen; Merte, Christen E.; Meyer, Jordana M.; Napora, Erek Stephen; Stanley, Lauren; Vyas, Dhaval K.; Wollett, Kimberly; Goodwin, Thomas E.; Rasmussen, L.E.L.

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-73945-8_7

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…While the displays of main and accessory chemosensory behaviors are not limited to intraspecific communication, their correlation was elucidated through such studies. Using these behaviors, the chemosensory behavior of elephants in response to conspecific urine and feces from two populations-one in Tanzania and the other in South Africa-showed similar patterns across age and sex classes, although somewhat different patterns emerged developmentally between the sexes across the populations [80,83]. Interestingly, chemosensory response patterns in response to luteal and estrous conspecific urine were similar by male African elephants housed at facilities in North America to males in the wild [84].…”

Section: Intraspecific Chemical Signaling and Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…In situ and ex situ studies with African elephants pursued pure and applied scientific objectives (e.g., [80,81]). Such studies led to an expanded chemosensory ethogram, incorporating not only the main chemosensory behaviors of sniff, check, place, and flehmen [45] but also accessory trunk behaviors [82].…”

Section: Intraspecific Chemical Signaling and Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the population level, carrying capacities for elephants have been estimated by considering the negative effects of PSMs on elephant foraging [170]. Intraspecific chemical signals are posited as honest means of communication and thus have potential for modifying the behavior of particular categories of elephants (e.g., adult males or females) in predictable ways [80]. To date, only pheromones for Asian elephants have been identified.…”

Section: Conservation and Management Applications Of Chemical Ecology Of Elephantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Chemical Ecology of Elephants: 21st Century Additions to Our Understanding and Future Outlooks

Schulte

LaDue

2021

Animals

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Chemical signals are the oldest and most ubiquitous means of mediating intra- and interspecific interactions. The three extant species of elephants, the Asian elephant and the two African species, savanna and forest share sociobiological patterns in which chemical signals play a vital role. Elephants emit secretions and excretions and display behaviors that reveal the importance of odors in their interactions. In this review, we begin with a brief introduction of research in elephant chemical ecology leading up to the 21st century, and then we summarize the body of work that has built upon it and occurred in the last c. 20 years. The 21st century has expanded our understanding on elephant chemical ecology, revealing their use of odors to detect potential threats and make dietary choices. Furthermore, complementary in situ and ex situ studies have allowed the careful observations of captive elephants to be extended to fieldwork involving their wild counterparts. While important advances have been made in the 21st century, further work should investigate the roles of chemical signaling in elephants and how these signals interact with other sensory modalities. All three elephant species are threatened with extinction, and we suggest that chemical ecology can be applied for targeted conservation efforts.

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Section: Intraspecific Chemical Signaling and Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 92%