Publication Abstract

Pheromone and other chemical communication

P. Hubbard and A.P. Scott

This was the first time, as far as we are aware, that the Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists had included a session devoted specifically to chemical communication. Chemical communication between individuals of the same species has many obvious parallels with the endocrine systems within those individuals. Not only are both involved with specific chemical messengers, often at very low concentrations, that act via specific receptors to evoke specific physiological and/or behavioural effects in the receiver (target tissue) but, also, chemical messengers (pheromones) often evoke their effects by the endocrine and neuro-endocrine systems of the receiver. Many pheromones themselves have been shown to be hormones or their metabolites. Therefore Comparative Endocrinology is the natural home for those working in Chemical Communication.

Reference

P. Hubbard and A.P. Scott (2007) Pheromone and other chemical communication. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 153: 390-391