Discrimination by male ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) between the scent marks of male and those of female conspecifics

Anogenital gland secretions of Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi coquereli: A preliminary chemical examination

“…However, the anogenital gland is used by both male (in addition to other glands) and female L. catta to mark the borders of group territories [Mertl-Millhollen, 1988, 2000. Male ringtailed lemurs respond differently to scent marks from male and female donors [Dugmore et al, 1984;Ramsay & Giller, 1996], although there is no difference in the frequency with which males and females scent-mark with the anogenital region [Oda, 1999].…”

“…In addition, male ring-tailed lemurs mark more frequently [Gould & Overdorff, 2002] and are more interested in female secretion in the breeding season than in the nonbreeding season [Dugmore et al, 1984]. On the other hand, the marks placed by males may be deposited for the information of other males, rather than females [Kappeler, 1990a[Kappeler, , 1998Oda, 1999].…”

Lemur catta (Primates: Lemuridae)

“…Both males and females are known to genital mark (Dugmore et al 1984). As described by Jolly (1966), the animal assumes a handstand-like posture and rubs its genitals on a thin, vertical substrate.…”

Scent Marking and Contact Call Production in Ring-Tailed Lemurs(Lemur catta)

“…Although both sexes use genital marking, only males mark with their forearms. Experimental studies suggested that male ring-tailed lemurs could identify the sex of the scent donor [1]. Female marking was not affected by the breeding cycle and male marking increased during the breeding season [2].…”