According to recent research, hyenas rely heavily on symbiotic bacterial communities in order to communicate with each other. The bacteria, which reside in the hyenas’ scent glands, produce various odours that can then be incorporated into secretions used by hyenas to mark their territory.
Researchers also noted that secretions from different hyena clans vary in their odours. The odour-producing bacteria help to form a distinct chemical signature for each hyena clan. Having a shared scent among the clan also means that hyenas can work together to mark their territory more quickly and efficiently.
While it is well known that various animals use scent as a form of signaling and communication, and that local microbial flora plays an important role in a number of mammalian functions, this new study shows that bacteria and hyenas can have symbiotic relationship specifically when it comes to odour production.
Source: Science Daily
