Olfactory kin recognition in a songbird

Authors / Editors

Krause, Elvis Tim

Research Areas

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Publication Details

Output type: Journal article

Author list: Krause E., Krüger O., Kohlmeier P., Caspers B.

Publisher: The Royal Society

Publication year: 2012

Volume number: 8

Issue number: 3

Start page: 327

End page: 329

Number of pages: 3

ISSN: 1744-9561

eISSN: 1744-957X

URL: http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:84860541156

Unpaywall Data

Open access status: bronze

Full text URL: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsbl.2011.1093

Abstract

The ability to recognize close relatives in order to cooperate or to avoid inbreeding is widespread across all taxa. One accepted mechanism for kin recognition in birds is associative learning of visual or acoustic cues. However, how could individuals ever learn to recognize unfamiliar kin? Here, we provide the first evidence for a novel mechanism of kin recognition in birds. Zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) fledglings are able to distinguish between kin and non-kin based on olfactory cues alone. Since olfactory cues are likely to be genetically based, this finding establishes a neglected mechanism of kin recognition in birds, particularly in songbirds, with potentially far-reaching consequences for both kin selection and inbreeding avoidance. © 2012 The Royal Society.

Keywords

Avian olfaction, Kin recognition, Kin selection, Mate choice, Olfactory communication

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