Faecal marking behaviour in ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) during the non-breeding period:: spatial characteristics of latrines and single faeces
Faecal marking behaviour in ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) during the non-breeding period:: spatial characteristics of latrines and single faeces
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DOI：
10.1007/s00049-006-0352-x
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发表时间：
2006-01-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.8
通讯作者：
List, Rurik
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Barja, Isabel;List, Rurik
气味信号是食肉动物信息传递的主要来源，对于那些有夜间习性的食肉动物来说尤其重要，比如环尾(Bassariscus Astutus)，一种广泛分布于墨西哥的原丝虫。然而，自由放养的环尾动物的粪便标记行为以前没有被描述过。这项研究的目的是描述环尾马桶的使用情况，并根据排泄点的空间特征和对这些地点的重访来测试单一粪便和马桶是否具有标记功能。这项研究于2003年在墨西哥城的一个城市保护区进行，对80个排泄点进行了分析。结果表明，环尾鸟在相同的地点(厕所)重复放置粪便，这些地点含有数量不等的粪便(2到19个)。厕所的空间分布不是随机的，但可以观察到一些基质和区域的选择，以增强作为粪便标志的有效性。厕所优先放置在地面以上和道路边缘的物体上。位于不显眼区域的厕所和单个粪便一般被放置在显眼的基质上，而位于显眼区域的单个粪便更多地被沉积在不显眼的基质上。
Scent signals are the main source of information transmission in carnivores, being particularly important for those with nocturnal habits like the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), a Procyonid widely distributed in Mexico. However, faecal marking behaviour of free-ranging ringtails has not been described previously. The aims of this study were to describe the use of latrines in ringtails and to test if single faeces and latrines have a marking function, based on the spatial characterisation of the defecation places and revisits to these sites. The study was conducted at an urban reserve within Mexico City in 2003, where 80 defecation points were analysed. The results showed that ringtails deposit faeces repeatedly in the same sites (latrines), which contain a variable number of faeces (between 2 and 19). The spatial distribution of latrines was not random, but a selection of substrates and zones that enhanced the effectiveness as faecal marks was observed. Latrines were preferentially placed on objects above ground level and at road margins. Latrines and single faeces that were in inconspicuous zones were generally deposited on conspicuous substrates and latrines and single faeces that were in conspicuous zones were deposited more frequently on inconspicuous substrates.