Abstract
Chemical perception is the first modality that evolved in animals to sense the surrounding world. In terrestrials’ mammals, chemical perception plays a crucial role in feeding, orientation, communication and much more. Conversely, information regarding this aspect is notably scarce in marine mammals, especially in cetaceans. The limited studies available so far indicate a partial regression of both anatomical structures and key genes families involved in olfaction and gustation. However, different behavioural observations suggest that chemical perception could be functional. In this study, we aimed to shed light on the chemical perception of Bottlenose Dolphins, focusing one of the chemical facet : gustatory sense. Gustation is characterized by the detection of molecules through taste receptors on the surface of papillae. We expected to unveil conserved processes and signalling pathways, through physiological and behavioural measurements. These findings would indicate that chemical senses could have kept a biological utility through odontocetes evolution.