鸟类社会行为中的嗅觉通讯研究进展

Research progress on olfactory communication in the social behaviours of birds

长期以来,学者普遍认为大多数鸟类的嗅觉能力较弱或丧失。早期实验未能得到统一而清晰的结果,进一步扩大了这一认知误区。随着研究手段和技术的发展,解剖学、电生理学、分子生物学和行为生态学等学科提供了鸟类嗅觉存在的证据。目前,相关研究在鸟类14目33科中发现了嗅觉通讯的证据。与视觉和听觉一样,这一感觉通路可能在鸟类的觅食、导航、防御、隐蔽、警戒和交流等社会行为中发挥着重要作用。本文着重于嗅觉通讯在鸟类社会行为中的功能,通过回顾近十年的相关研究,综述鸟类嗅觉在物种和个体识别、繁殖行为、亲缘识别、配偶选择与竞争等方面发挥的作用。我们也指出:研究手段的创新将揭示更多鸟类物种在社会行为中对于嗅觉通讯的运用。此外,当前研究多聚焦于少数物种和单一层面(如生理、生态和环境等),使用分子生物学、解剖与生理学、行为学和神经生物学手段的整合研究较为缺乏;而后者更有可能全面地揭示鸟类嗅觉通讯的复杂机理及其在社会行为中发挥的多种功能。

Background:Historically,it was believed that birds had a weak sense of smell or a lack thereof.Currently,the evidence of avian olfaction has been confirmed in several fields,such as anatomy,electrophysiology,molecular biology,and behavioural ecology.In this paper,we conducted a review of recent research progress on olfactory communication in social behaviours of birds.Results:Our literature review found evidence of olfactory communication in birds from 14 orders and 33 families.Olfaction may play an important role in functions such as foraging,navigation,defence,crypsis,vigilance,and social interactions.Focusing on the role of olfactory communication in the social behaviors of birds,we presented key results from relevant studies in the last decade and reviewed the potential roles played by avian olfaction in species and individual recognition,breeding behaviors,kin recognition,mate choice,and competition.Conclusions:Innovations in research methods and integrative approaches are urgently needed.Combining molecular biology,anatomy,physiology,ethology,and neurobiology may comprehensively reveal the complex mechanisms and social functions of avian olfactory communication.