Mechanisms of kin recognition

Hurst JL, Beynon RJ. (2010) J Biol. 2010;9(2):13. Making progress in genetic kin recognition among vertebrates. [PUBMED][PDF]

A recent study in BMC Evolutionary Biology has shown that genetically similar individual ring-tailed lemurs are also more similar in their scent composition, suggesting a possible mechanism of kin recognition. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal challenges ahead in achieving a true systems-level understanding of this process and its outcomes.