Sexual reproduction and the exchange of genetic information are essential biological
processes for species across all branches of the tree of life. Over the last four decades …

Pheromonal communication is an ancient and pervasive sensory modality in urodelan
amphibians. One family of salamander pheromones (the sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) …

Background Efficient transfer of chemical signals is important for successful mating in many
animal species. Multiple evolutionary lineages of animals evolved direct sex pheromone …

Many animals exchange chemicals during courtship and mating. In some amphibians,
sexual chemical communication is mediated by pheromones produced in male breeding …

Proteinaceous pheromones that diversify through gene duplication can result in shifts in
courtship cocktails that may serve as a mechanism for reproductive isolation. The molecular …

Chemical signaling in animals often plays a central role in eliciting a variety of responses
during reproductive interactions between males and females. One of the best-known …

Many amphibian species possess male-specific secretory breeding glands. In anurans, such
specialized glands are often present as nuptial pads at the first digit of the hand, which are …

Rapid evolution is a hallmark of proteins involved in reproduction. The protein courtship
pheromones in plethodontid salamanders are classic examples of such rapidly evolving …

Paedomorphosis is an alternative process to metamorphosis in which adults retain larval
traits at the adult stage. It is frequent in newts and salamanders, where larvae reach sexual …

In this review article, information about the development of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal
axis, endocrine control of metamorphosis, and hormonal and pheromonal involvements in …