The role of olfactory cues in the discrimination of agemates by lambs

摘要: We assessed the effect of olfactory cues on agemate discrimination between lambs, Ovis aries . In experiment 1, a local anaesthetic was sprayed into nostrils 2–3-week-old lambs to inhibit olfaction. To verify whether treated animals were anosmic, they tested for their responses food source tainted with odour dog faeces, scent that is strongly avoided by intact lambs. simultaneous-choice test, categorized as i.e. fed in presence faeces odour, responded preferentially familiar penmate over an alien agemate, indicating olfaction not essential social discrimination. then examined lambs' pairs agemates anaesthetized and partially hidden, thereby eliminating vocal salient visual characteristics stimulus but allowing access odours. During choice tests, subject more positively twin than unfamiliar, unrelated lamb, did discriminate familiar, strange lamb. Thus, appeared be sufficient basis recognition this context. conclude failure unfamiliar probably reflects differential familiarity twins penmates, perceptible similarities phenotypes may also facilitate