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Write a note in 150 words
Smell as a signal among non-human primates.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Smell plays a surprisingly crucial and often underappreciated role as a signal among many non-human primates, particularly in species that are nocturnal or rely less on visual cues. This chemical communication, mediated by pheromones and other volatile compounds, serves various vital functions. Scent marking, through urine, feces, or specialized glands, is extensively used for territorial demarcation, allowing individuals to establish boundaries and convey occupancy without direct confrontation. Olfactory signals are also paramount in reproductive strategies; females often signal their reproductive state through changes in scent, attracting mates and coordinating mating cycles. Furthermore, individual recognition, group cohesion, and even alarm calls can be communicated through subtle olfactory cues. While less pronounced in highly visual diurnal species like chimpanzees, the power of smell remains a fundamental, ancient communicative modality across the primate order.

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Sakshi Negi

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