The effects of sex, reproductive condition and context on discrimination of conspecific odours by giant pandas

doi:10.1006/anbe.2000.1464

Animal Behaviour

Volume 60, Issue 2, August 2000, Pages 227-237

https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.2000.1464 Get rights and content

Abstract

To elucidate some of the functions of chemical communication in giant pandas, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, we systematically exposed captive males, oestrous and nonoestrous females to each others' odours by providing access to one another's temporarily unoccupied enclosures. In comparison with control observations, pandas from all reproductive categories displayed a dramatic increase in several measures of chemosensory responsiveness, both when visiting another panda's enclosure and when encountering scent deposited in their home enclosure. Evidence for discrimination between odours encountered as a resident versus a visitor was minimal, but male pandas' response patterns were suggestive of a territorial function. We also found evidence for discrimination of sex and reproductive condition via chemical cues. Males showed a marked preference for female odours, investigating, licking, scent marking and vocalizing more in response to female than male odours. Males also vocalized more in response to oestrous than nonoestrous female odours. Nonoestrous females licked more and oestrous females vocalized more when encountering male than female odours. Our data on vocalizations suggest a potential role for odours in the activation of sexual motivation. We argue that the low reproductive success observed in captivity may be attributed in part to failure to provide sufficient opportunities for chemical communication, and encourage the judicious management of social odours to promote natural mating (e.g. using intersexual odour exposure to increase libido and decrease aggressiveness prior to mating introductions).

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Olfactory communication in giant pandas has been reported to be used for conspecific identification including discrimination between kin and nonkin [3] and age classification [4]. Giant pandas have also been reported to use olfactory cues to communicate physiological and reproductive status [5,6], territory [7], and sexual motivation [8]. The detection of sexual receptivity cues of female giant pandas by males is of particular importance as females enter a brief estrus period lasting only 1 to 3 days [9,10].
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^☆: X. Zhou is at the Wolong Nature Reserve, Wenchuan, Sichuan, People's Republic of China, 623006.

^f1: Correspondence: R. R. Swaisgood, Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, P. O. Box 551, San Diego, CA 92112, U.S.A. (email:[email protected])

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Regular ArticleThe effects of sex, reproductive condition and context on discrimination of conspecific odours by giant pandas☆

Abstract

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Physiology and Behavior

Behavioral Biology

Hormones and Behavior

Animal Behaviour

Animal Behaviour

Animal Behaviour

Statview II

SuperANOVA

Constraints on the design of chemical communication systems in terrestrial vertebrates

American Naturalist Supplement

Effect of a conspecific's urine on reproduction in Arctic foxes

Mammalian Reproductive Biology

Olfactory control of aggressive and sexual behavior in the mouse (Mus musculus)

Psychonomic Sciences

Some experimental tests of the functional significance of scent-marking by gerbils

Journal of Comparative Psychology

Effects of female urine upon the social behaviour of adult male mice

Animal Behaviour

Odor-guided behavior in mammals

Experientia

Olfactory communication in mammals

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics

Communication among hamsters by high-frequency acoustic signals II. Determinants of calling by females and males

Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology

Scent-marking by coyotes, Canis latrans: the influence of social and ecological factors

Animal Behaviour

Sex pheromone in the dog

Science

The role of odor in the social lives of carnivores

Regular Article
The effects of sex, reproductive condition and context on discrimination of conspecific odours by giant pandas☆