Evolution of olfaction in vertebrates

SémIdeev
 03/11/2025
 12:00:00
 Maxime Policarpo, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany
 IDEEV - Salle Rachel Carlson

Olfaction plays a major role in the survival and reproductive success of vertebrates, being involved in feeding, predator avoidance, and reproduction. The diversity of molecules that can be smelled by a species depends on the number of expressed olfactory receptors, that are divided in four large gene families (OR, TAAR, V1R and V2R), and which are shaped by a birth-and-death model (recurrent duplications and losses).

I will show the extent of variation in the number of receptors possessed by vertebrates, and its correlation with the olfactory system morphology and key ecological parameters. My talk will also focus on the adaptation of the olfactory system regarding land-to-water or water-to-land transitions across vertebrates. Finally, I will highlight convergences in olfactory capacities across species, as well as links between olfaction and other sensory or physiological systems.