Honest signalling through chemicals by elephants with applications for care and conservation

摘要: Chemical signals are difficult to fake because they often directly associated with phenotype and physiological condition, hence likely be honest for intraspecific communication. may modified after release by the sender or environment. The proximate ultimate signal meanings dependent not only on condition of sender, but also status receiver. Understanding relationships linkage among modality, function receiver response is an essential first step before using natural animal care conservation. Our studies chemical communication in Asian African elephants combine observational experimental work captive wild settings further this understanding. Recent discoveries pheromones biochemistry these compounds provide strong evidence that such indicators reproductive status. Chemically identifying verifying their functional context statistically robust behavioural aspects understanding system. Additionally, investigative process discovering, offers safe stimulating enrichments. knowledge garnered from has potential conservation benefits managing elephant populations. A firm foundation scientific information required successful investigations applied enrichment components.