Kin recognition: Another biological function for root secretions

Kin Recognition Alters Root and Whole Plant Growth of Split-root Cycas edentata Seedlings

Split-root techniques were used to determine if Cycas edentata seedling roots possessed identity recognition capabilities. One compartment of the split-root containers contained a competing half-sibling seedling, and the second compartment contained one of four treatments. When the second compartment contained a half-sibling or C. edentata seedling from the same habitat, root growth did not dif...

Another important biological function for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

For many years, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) had been studied primarily for its contribution to environmental chemical-induced organ toxicity or carcinogenicity.1–3 The prevailing paradigm fashioned from these studies held that activation of the cytosolic AhR by any one of a variety of environmental pollutants (eg, planar polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and d...

Kin-recognition abilities and nepotism as a function of sociality.

Despite widespread interest in kin selection and nepotism, relatively little is known about the perceptual abilities of animals to recognize their relatives. Here I show that a highly nepotistic species, Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi), produces odours from at least two sources that correlate with relatedness ('kin labels'), and that ground squirrels can use these odours to m...

Kin recognition in rattlesnakes.

Snakes are often regarded as the least social of all vertebrate groups, but this assumption stems from the fact that they are secretive and difficult to observe in nature, rather than direct evidence. Recent studies have revealed a surprising degree of social complexity in snakes. Here, I examine the ability of captive-raised timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) to recognize siblings by meas...

Kin recognition in plants?