Interpack communication in African wild dogs at long-term shared marking sites

Claase, Megan; Cherry, Michael; Apps, P.J.; McNutt, J. Weldon; Hansen, Karen; Jordan, Neil R.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.07.006

Cited by 10 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…Sex and status influenced overmarking responses in accordance with previous studies on this species in both the inter‐pack (see Claase et al., 2024; Parker, 2010) and intra‐pack context (see Jordan et al., 2014). As in other canids (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…A behavioural session was defined as the period during which a single group of wild dogs visited a single marking site. Only individuals that sniffed or scent‐marked were included in analyses (see Claase et al., 2024).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…African wild dogs (hereafter wild dogs) are wide ranging highly social large carnivores that use latrines, termed marking sites, to advertise territorial residence (Apps et al., 2022; Claase et al., 2022). Typically, only the dominant individuals breed within each pack, with subdominant individuals helping to raise offspring (Creel & Creel, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When offspring reach 2–3 years of age, many disperse in single sex coalitions to seek mates, sometimes travelling large distances to form new reproductive groups with unrelated opposite sex individuals, or usurping and expelling same‐sex residents from an established pack (Behr et al., 2020; Cozzi et al., 2020; McNutt, 1996), creating intense same‐sex competition between resident dominant individuals and dispersers. Typically, dominant individuals scent mark more than subdominants, with dominant females scent marking more than dominant males in the intra‐pack context (Claase et al., 2024; Jordan et al., 2014). Both resident packs and dispersers scent mark at shared marking sites (Claase et al., 2022), which creates a unique opportunity in this species to monitor the behaviour of dispersers (strangers), and the reaction of residents to signals from strangers and neighbours at the same sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Size matters: Natural experiments suggest the dear enemy effect is moderated by pack size in African wild dogs

Claase,

Cherry,

McNutt

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Remote monitoring of communal marking sites, or latrines, provides a unique opportunity to observe undisturbed scent marking behaviour of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). We used remote camera trap observations in a natural experiment to test behavioural scent mark responses to rivals (either familiar neighbours or unfamiliar strangers), to determine whether wild dogs exhibit the “dear enemy” or “nasty neighbour” response. Given that larger groups of wild dogs represent a greater threat to smaller groups, including for established residents, we predicted that the overarching categories “dear enemy” vs. “nasty neighbour” may be confounded by varying social statuses that exists between individual dyads interacting. Using the number of overmarks as a metric, results revealed an interaction between sender and receiver group size irrespective of familiarity consistent with this prediction: in general, individuals from large resident packs overmarked large groups more than they overmarked smaller groups, whereas individuals from smaller packs avoided overmarking larger groups, possibly to avoid detection. Monitoring a natural system highlights variables such as pack size that may be either overlooked or controlled during scent presentation experiments, influencing our ability to gain insights into the factors determining territorial responses to rivals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Size matters: Natural experiments suggest the dear enemy effect is moderated by pack size in African wild dogs

Claase,

Cherry,

McNutt

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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“…"Signal detection theory" predicts that animals select scent-labeled signal deposit substrates, resulting in a wider range and longer retention of the released signal (Alberts, 1992). A growing number of studies have demonstrated that this choice of signal deposit substrate is more widespread in mammalian chemotaxis than we thought, such as the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta ) (Gorman, 1990) and the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus ) (Claase et al, 2022), which use urine and feces, among other substances, for chemical communication. However, we also need to be aware that both the chemical signal generation and the marking process are very energy-consuming (Gosling et al, 2000); and that after scent marking, the animal needs to be visited periodically to observe and update the signal markers in order to maintain the continued validity of the signal, a process that also requires a significant investment of time and energy (Clapham et al, 2014;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Signal detection theory applied to giant pandas: Do pandas go out of their way to make sure their scent marks are found?

Wang

Swaisgood

Wei

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The purpose of inter-animal communication is to allow signals released by the animal to be perceived by others. Scent marking, with its characteristics of specificity and delay, is thought to be the primary mode of communication in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The “signal detection theory” predicts that animals choose the substrate and location of their scent marks so that the signals released are transmitted more widely and remain longer. As an energetically marginal species, the cost of generating and marking chemical signals is costly for pandas, so they are predicted to make trade-offs in scent marking. However, existing studies do not account for the selective preferences of pandas for marking, as they are only explained by the density of marks at a certain location. Our study wanted to investigate whether the marking behavior of pandas is indeed consistent with signal detection theory. For the first time, we propose to use fecal counts to reflect the intensity of habitat use by pandas, combined with mark counts to determine the selective preference for marking. Our findings show that the scent marking behavior of pandas is consistent with signal detection theory, and that they go out of their way to ensure that their marks are detected. The results of the study will help us to further develop the conservation of pandas and their habitats.

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Signal detection theory applied to giant pandas: Do pandas go out of their way to make sure their scent marks are found?

Wang,

Swaisgood,

Wei

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Inter‐animal communication allows signals released by an animal to be perceived by others. Scent‐marking is the primary mode of such communication in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Signal detection theory propounds that animals choose the substrate and location of their scent marks so that the signals released are transmitted more widely and last longer. We believe that pandas trade‐off scent‐marking because they are an energetically marginal species and it is costly to generate and mark chemical signals. Existing studies only indicate where pandas mark more frequently, but their selection preferences remain unknown. This study investigates whether the marking behavior of pandas is consistent with signal detection theory. Feces count, reflecting habitat use intensity, was combined with mark count to determine the selection preference for marking. The results showed that pandas preferred to mark ridges with animal trails and that most marked tree species were locally dominant. In addition, marked plots and species were selected for lower energy consumption and a higher chance of being detected. Over 90% of the marks used were the longest‐surviving anogenital gland secretion marks, and over 80% of the marks were oriented toward animal trails. Our research demonstrates that pandas go out of their way to make sure their marks are found. This study not only sheds light on the mechanisms of scent‐marking by pandas but also guides us toward more precise conservation of the panda habitat.

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Interpack communication in African wild dogs at long-term shared marking sites

Cited by 10 publications

References 73 publications

Size matters: Natural experiments suggest the dear enemy effect is moderated by pack size in African wild dogs

Size matters: Natural experiments suggest the dear enemy effect is moderated by pack size in African wild dogs

Signal detection theory applied to giant pandas: Do pandas go out of their way to make sure their scent marks are found?

Signal detection theory applied to giant pandas: Do pandas go out of their way to make sure their scent marks are found?

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