E-Thesis
Understanding the underlying factors of scent communication in the banded mongoose, Mungos mungo / LUCIE MURPHY
Swansea University Author: LUCIE MURPHY
Abstract
Scent communication is the most widespread form of communication throughout the animal kingdom, whereby animals use semiochemicals such as pheromones to transfer information from one individual to another. Group living animals this method of communication to exchange an array information used to dis...
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Swansea
2026
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Nichols, H. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71773 |
| Abstract: |
Scent communication is the most widespread form of communication throughout the animal kingdom, whereby animals use semiochemicals such as pheromones to transfer information from one individual to another. Group living animals this method of communication to exchange an array information used to distinguish familiar individuals from competition, mark territories or identify potential mates.Banded mongooses, Mungos mungo, are an ideal model species to investigate the use of scent due to their cooperative breeding structure and prolific use of scent. Here we focus on a population of banded mongooses in Uganda that have a detailed record of individuals sex, ages, pregnancies and social groups. Using GC-MS to analyse the chemical profile of anal gland secretions from individuals alongside their life history we can identify potential factors that may influence an individual’s chemical profile.Through general(ised) linear mixed effect models and analysis of similarities wewere able to determine which factors might influence scent and how scent differs between demographics. We found that age has a significant influence on an individual’s chemical profile as well as changes in chemical composition coinciding with seasons and reproductive status. Although there were no significant chemical differences between social groups, we did find that individuals produce chemically distinct scents that could be used in both inter and intra group communication. This research unveils the chemical foundations of scent communication within a social group living species.Lay Summary:The use of chemicals to communicate is found across the living world from amoebas to mammals and can provide individuals with a wealth of information about their surroundings. Other mammals are particularly well adapted at using chemicals (perceived using scent), with many species able to recognise individuals, find mates and mark their territory boundaries. However, we know little about what chemicals are involved in scent communication. In this study we analyse the anal gland secretions of the banded mongoose to determine the number of compounds within each individual secretion. We found that individuals have distinct scents that are likely used in individual identification, but there were no such chemical signatures of group membership. Age heavily influenced the number and evenness of chemicals within the scent. We also found that temporal differences in scent composition and reproductive status also affected the number of chemicals in the profiles. Together, these results reveal the chemical patterns underlying scent communication in a social mammal. |
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| Keywords: |
Chemical communication, Banded mongoose, Mungos mungo, Scent, Gland, GC-MS |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |