Preferences, odor species-specific

Much of the previous research on the role of early olfactory experience on adult odor preferences has used the approach of cross-fostering young pups to a lactating dam of a different species (D Udine 1983). Thus, a shift in preference toward odor of the foster parent indicates that species-specific odors are learned via the early experience with the foster parent. Several important themes have emerged from this literature that shed light on the degree to which species preference is learned during early life. 

Males of neotropical euglossine bees (Apidae), called orchid bees, collect odoriferous substances from flowers of orchids and other plants. The floral scents of these species display relatively simple chemical compositions dominated by one or two major components, mostly terpenoids and aromatic compounds such as cr-pinene, 1,8-cineol, eugenol, -dimethoxybenzene (35), 2,3-epoxygeranyl acetate (36), nerolidol, 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (37), and benzyl benzoate.113 Since the orchid bees have odor preferences, their collection of fragrances leads to specialized pollination of particular plant species. Male bees absorb the floral volatiles with their tarsal hairs, form species-specific bouquets, and finally accumulate them in their hind tibial pouches. These bouquets have potential roles in courtship displays and marking territories.114 115... 

We also examined the development of species-specific information in the urine of mice. M. m. musculus and M spicilegus preferred conspecific odors when the age of urine donors was 17 days or older (Table 4). Probably the species-specific odor appears in onto-... 

Flower scent is extremely variable between plant species, but often monoterpenes are the dominating group of compounds in floral odor bouquet. Flowers of one plant species can emit more than 100 scent compounds. Linalool, (3-ocimene and p-myrcene are monoterpenes that have been most-oft reported from flowers. Proportion of monoterpenes of the total scent is variable depending on the age of flowers and the part of the flower analyzed, but their proportion in many cases exceeds 50% of the total flower emission. The ratio of different compounds in flower scent affects the composition of pollinating insect communities. Wasps, flies, beetles and butterflies have a different odor preference in addition to preferences of visible flower colors. Specialized pollinator species use the combination of visual and olfactometric cues of flowers to detect their specific host species. 

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