Odorant-binding proteins in canine anal sac glands indicate an evolutionarily conserved role in mammalian chemical communication. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Background: Chemical communication is an important aspect of the behavioural ecology of a wide range of mammals. In dogs and other carnivores, anal sac glands are thought to convey information to conspecifics by secreting a pallet of small volatile molecules produced by symbiotic bacteria. Because these glands are unique to carnivores, it is unclear how their secretions relate to those of other placental mammals that make use of different ...