Chemical signals

How do animals use substrate vibrations?

By encoding signals in surfaces or water waves for mate attraction, s- ID, or territorial defense (example: water striders).

What are key characteristics of chemical signals?

They travel slowly, persist long, can go long distances, and are hard to localize to the sender.

Why are chemical signals good for territory marking?

They persist in the environment, especially when released with oily substances or urine.

Define scent marking.

Placing a chemical mark in the environment to convey ownership or presence.

What is a pheromone?

A chemical produced to convey information to members of the same species (e.g., mating, alarm).

Distinguish remote vs contact chemoreception.

Remote: detection of airborne/waterborne chemicals.

Contact: detection via direct touch.

What is the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson’s organ)?

A separate chemoreception organ used for pheromone detection in many vertebrates.

What is flehmen behavior?

A mammal behavior that helps transfer chemicals to the vomeronasal organ for detection.