Individual recognition in salamanders: Cloacal odours |
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| Authors: | Gary S Simon Dale M Madison |
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| Institution: | Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York 13901, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Male red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were studied to determine the origin of the chemical cues allowing for individual odour recognition between conspecifics. Individual males showed a preference for substrates with their own faecal and cloacal odours rather than those marked by unfamiliar conspecific males. This discriminatory ability did not depend on recent differences in food consumed. These scent marks might be used to define breeding territories in the field. |
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| Keywords: | To whom reprint requests should be made |
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