IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Vogt, K. | |
| Olfactory communication and hunting behaviour of Eurasian lynx _Lynx lynx_ in the Northwestern Swiss Alps | |
| 2015 Full Book | |
Chemical signalling in the form of scent-marking with urine, faeces or gland secretions is widespread in mammals and its role in territoriality, competition or mate choice is widely recognised for many species. Mammals regularly check and renew their scent-marks and place their own scent-marks on top of those left by others. Such over-marking is essential for communication with neighbouring territory holders or group members and high scent-marking rates increase reproductive success. However, chemical signals are not only perceived by the intended receivers but can be intercepted and exploited by competitors, predators or parasites (eavesdropping). In wild felids, the occurrence of scent-marking behaviour and the chemical compositions of different scent sources have been described for an increasing number of species. However, the role of over-marking in social organisation of wild felid populations, the factors influencing spatial and temporal distribution of scent-marks in territories (e.g. eavesdropping by prey), and the information content of scent-marks have not yet been studied extensively in wild felids. The aim of my thesis was to explore the possible functions of scent-marking in felid social organisation using the Eurasian lynx _Lynx lynx _as a model species and focusing on the above-mentioned research topics. |
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