Smelling fit： scent marking exposes parasitic infection status in the banded mongoose  

作　　者：Jessica MITCHELL Michael A. CANT Emma I.K. VITIKAINEN Hazel J. NICHOLS 

机构地区：[1]School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 AF, UK [2]Centrefor Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TRIO 9FE, UK

出　　处：《Current Zoology》2017年第3期237-247,共11页动物学报（英文版）

摘　　要：Preference for uninfected mates is presumed beneficial as it minimizes one＇s risk of contracting an infection and infecting one＇s offspring. In avian systems, visual ornaments are often used to indi- cate parasite burdens and facilitate mate choice. However, in mammals, olfactory cues have been proposed to act as a mechanism allowing potential mates to be discriminated by infection status. The effect of infection upon mammalian mate choice is mainly studied in captive rodents where ex- perimental trials support preference for the odors of uninfected mates and some data suggest scent marking is reduced in individuals with high infection burdens. Nevertheless, whether such effects occur in nonmodel and wild systems remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the interplay between parasite load （estimated using fecal egg counts） and scent marking behavior in a wild population of banded mongooses Mungos mungo. Focusing on a costly protozoan parasite of the genus Isospora and the nematode worm Toxocara, we first show that banded mongooses that engage in frequent, intensive scent marking have lower Isospora loads, suggesting marking behavior may be an indicator trait regarding infection status. We then use odor presentations to demonstrate that banded mongooses mark less in response to odors of opposite sexed individuals with high Isospora and Toxocara loads. As both of these parasites are known to have detrimental effects upon the health of preweaned young in other species, they would appear key targets to avoid during mate choice. Results provide support for scent as an important ornament and mechanism for advertising parasitic infection within wild mammals.

关 键 词：ISOSPORA OLFACTION PARASITE SCENT scent preferences Toxocara. 

分 类 号：S855.9[农业科学—临床兽医学] S829.2[农业科学—兽医学]