Final answer:
While specific studies on the effects of aggregation pheromones in beluga whales are limited, it is reasonable to deduce that these pheromones could influence social and reproductive behaviors. These chemicals are typically detected by an organ specialized in pheromone reception and affect behavior and physiology through neural pathways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aggregation pheromones are a type of chemical signal used by various animal species, including some marine mammals, to affect the behavior or physiology of other animals of the same species. In beluga whales, while specific studies on aggregation pheromones may be limited, we can infer from other marine mammals that these pheromones could influence group behaviors such as mating, social structure, and feeding patterns.
For example, pheromones can be used by female marine mammals to signal fertility or by males to indicate dominance or territorial boundaries. These chemical signals are generally detected by the vomeronasal organ (VNO), also known as the Jacobson's organ. In the process, the molecules dissolve and bind to receptors in the VNO, sending signals to the amygdala and then to the hypothalamus, which affects physiological states and behaviors.
Despite the exact mechanisms in beluga whales not being completely understood, it's acknowledged that pheromones play an integral part in the communication and behavioral patterns within marine ecosystems. Observations in related species like orcas (killer whales) demonstrate distinct behaviors and social interactions, in part driven by chemical communication, which could be attributed to pheromonal differences.