Scent marking and social relationships in pine martens (Martes martes)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1993 |
Authors: |
Michèle de Monte, Jean-Jacques Roeder |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
agonistic dominance, pine martens (martes martes), scent marking |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430120603.abs Scent marking was studied in pine martens (Martes martes) in female-female and male-female pairs. Results show that agonistically dominant individuals generally had higher scent marking frequencies. However, environmental familiarity can modify the social relationship, whatever the previous social experiences, and, consequently, marking activity. Despite important intra-and interindividual variations, the subjects appeared to react to physical and social modifications by an increased marking rate. One factor affecting marking activity in both novel and established pairs was the activity level of the conspecific partner. the data support the hypothesis that pine martens react in the same way to physical and social modifications, but with different response levels. The discussion focuses on possible functions of scent marking. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.