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D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Drea, CM
Published in: Hormones and behavior
February 2015

This article is part of a Special Issue (Chemosignals and Reproduction). As highly visual animals, primates, in general, and Old World species (including humans), in particular, are not immediately recognized for reliance in their daily interactions on olfactory communication. Nevertheless, views on primate olfactory acuity and the pervasiveness of their scent signaling are changing, with increased appreciation for the important role of body odors in primate social and sexual behavior. All major taxonomic groups, from lemurs to humans, are endowed with scent-producing organs, and either deposit or exude a wealth of volatile compounds, many of which are known semiochemicals. This review takes a comparative perspective to illustrate the reproductive context of primate signaling, the relevant information content of their signals, the sexually differentiated investigative responses generated, and the behavioral or physiological consequences of message transmission to both signaler and receiver. Throughout, humans are placed alongside their relatives to illustrate the evolutionary continuum in the sexual selection of primate chemosignals. This ever-growing body of evidence points to a critical role of scent in guiding the social behavior and reproductive function throughout the primate order.

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Published In

Hormones and behavior

DOI

EISSN

1095-6867

ISSN

0018-506X

Publication Date

February 2015

Volume

68

Start / End Page

117 / 133

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal
  • Primates
  • Pheromones
  • Olfactory Perception
  • Odorants
  • Humans
  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • Animals
  • Animal Communication
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Drea, C. M. (2015). D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex. Hormones and Behavior, 68, 117–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.001
Drea, Christine M. “D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex.Hormones and Behavior 68 (February 2015): 117–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.001.
Drea, Christine M. “D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex.Hormones and Behavior, vol. 68, Feb. 2015, pp. 117–33. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.001.
Drea CM. D'scent of man: a comparative survey of primate chemosignaling in relation to sex. Hormones and behavior. 2015 Feb;68:117–133.
Journal cover image

Published In

Hormones and behavior

DOI

EISSN

1095-6867

ISSN

0018-506X

Publication Date

February 2015

Volume

68

Start / End Page

117 / 133

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal
  • Primates
  • Pheromones
  • Olfactory Perception
  • Odorants
  • Humans
  • Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology
  • Animals
  • Animal Communication