The Role of Olfactory Communication and Scent Marking in Social Behavior and Reproductive Success Among Bat Species

Abstract

Bats possess a variety of communication systems such as auditory, visual, tactile and olfactory. Of all types of communication, olfactory signals seem to be highly successful during breeding season. Olfactory communication in bats varies greatly depending on ecological pressure, roosting environment and the nature of the social organization of the species. Communication is the essence of all behavior. In bats, there is a relation between behavior and scent glands. Marking or direct rubbing of specialized scent glands on objects in the organism, habitat and leaving the glandular secretions as mark is a common phenomenon. Behavior maintaining the social bend between the pair, group cohesion and reduces tension in bat species which brings reproductive success.