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Thermal and Osmolarity Properties of Pheromonal Communication in the Gerbil, Meriones Unguiculatus

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Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 3

Abstract

Integumental or glandular release of chemosignals is constrained by metabolic capacity and core temperature (Thiessen, 1977). Cellular metabolism and heat production conjointly determine the nature and quantity of chemicals released as signals, and also set limits on sensory sensitivity and motor efficiency (Campbell, 1969; Heinrich, 1979; Paulus and Reisch, 1980). Indeed, a strong case could be made that homeostatic processes and chemocommunication evolved together (Stoddart, 1980). In any event, the relationship has important implications for advance in the understanding of animal behavior.

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Thiessen, D.D., Harriman, A.E. (1983). Thermal and Osmolarity Properties of Pheromonal Communication in the Gerbil, Meriones Unguiculatus . In: Müller-Schwarze, D., Silverstein, R.M. (eds) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9652-0_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9652-0_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9654-4

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