Microbial ecologists strive to understand the factors that influence the structures and
functions of microbial communities. At first glance, understanding these communities might …

The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous
secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence …

Literature Cited to accompany Animal Communication, 2e Page 1 Principles of Animal
Communication, Second Edition Jack W. Bradbury and Sandra L. Vehrencamp Chapter 14 …

The dispersal of seeds away from parent plants seems to be the underlying selective force in
the evolution of fleshy fruits attractive to animals. Secondary metabolites, which are not …

Smell is a sensory modality that is rarely considered in birds, but evidence is mounting that
olfaction is an important aspect of avian behaviour and ecology. The uropygial gland …

Identification of family members plays a primary role in the evolution of social behaviours
such as nepotism, altruism and mate choice. The process is particularly important for …

This article is part of a Special Issue “Chemosignals and Reproduction”. Chemical cues
were probably the first cues ever used to communicate and are still ubiquitous among living …

Although a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds
emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues …

Mate choice for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) compatibility has been found in
several taxa, although rarely in birds. MHC is a crucial component in adaptive immunity and …

For a long time birds were assumed to be anosmic or at best microsmatic, with olfaction a
poorly understood and seldom investigated part of avian physiology. The full viability of …