Title: Age Differences in Behavioral Responses of Male Giant Pandas to Chemosensory Stimulation (in English)
Abstract:Chemical communication plays an important role in survival and reproductive success in mammalian species. In the present study, we examined the ontogenetic pattern of behavioral responses of male gian...Chemical communication plays an important role in survival and reproductive success in mammalian species. In the present study, we examined the ontogenetic pattern of behavioral responses of male giant panda s (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to urine odors of conspecific individuals. Our da ta showed that exposure to the urine of adult females induced a significant incr ease in sniffing and environmental sniffing/licking behaviors, but a decrease in biting behavior, in males. Males of different ages displayed specific behaviors to female urine odors. Adult males spent more time licking than juvenile and su b-adult males. Further, sub-adult and adult males displayed high levels of env ironmental sniffing/licking, which was absent in the juvenile males. Juvenile ma les displayed scent rubbing behavior significantly more frequently than sub-adu lt and adult males, and also spent more time showing biting behavior than sub-a dult males. Finally, juvenile and sub-adult males showed no difference in respo nse to female and male urine odors. Together, these data suggest that chemosenso ry cues from conspecific urines induce age-specific responses in male giant pan das.Read More
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-04-22
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 2
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