Physiological Stress Responses, Fecal Marking Behavior, and Reproduction in Wild European Pine Martens (Martes martes)

Abstract

The relationship among physiological stress responses, fecal marking behavior, and reproduction in male and female European pine martens was investigated. Between July 2004 and June 2007, 145 fresh fecal samples were collected in a protected area of northwest Spain. Fecal DNA was used for specific identification by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Glucocorticoids (cortisol) and sex steroid hormones (P, progesterone; E, estradiol; T, testosterone) were quantified by enzyme immunoassays. Sex was assigned according to concentrations of T+P+E and the T/P ratio. Fecal cortisol concentrations were higher in males than in females. Feces with a presumptive marking function (on conspicuous substrates, above ground level, and/or in latrines) had higher mean levels of cortisol than those that were on inconspicuous substrates and/or at ground level, for both males and females. Fecal mark density was highest in spring, when mean levels of fecal cortisol were more elevated. Therefore, the higher physiological stress levels in females could be due to female physiological state (late-term pregnancy and lactation), competition for resources connected to birth, or food resources for offspring rearing. In males, the increase could be due to higher male competition for access to females during pro-estrus and estrus. Our results suggest that scent marking in European pine martens is related to reproduction and is involved in intersexual and intrasexual communication.

Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in European badgers (Meles meles) and effects of sample collection and storage on faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations

“…Despite these advantages, the measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites in carnivore faeces has been limited, and few researchers have applied these non-invasive techniques to free-ranging species (but see research on cats and dogs: Schatz and Palme, 2001;spotted hyenas: Goymann et al, 2001;Van Meter et al, 2009;bears: Ohe et al, 2004;wolves: Creel et al, 2002;Sands and Creel, 2004;Barja et al, 2006;Barja et al, 2008; European pine martens: Silvan et al, 2006;Barja et al, 2007Barja et al, , 2011and badgers: Schütz et al, 2006). Before such methods are applied to a particular species, the assays used to measure faecal glucocorticoid metabolites must be validated, and the technique should be evaluated to test whether it is appropriate for monitoring adrenocortical activity (Touma and Palme, 2005).…”

Antipredatory Response and Food Intake in Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) under Simulated Predation Risk by Resident and Novel Carnivorous Predators

“…Faeces from European pine marten are clearly indicative of their movements, because their faecal marks are deposited in all its territory (Hutchings & White ; Barja ; Barja et al. ). In view of these results, it could be that the ability of prey to detect and avoid predators depends in part on the experience, the ecology and the evolutionary history between predator and prey.…”

“…Although the European pine marten is a potential predator of wood mice, our results surprisingly showed that wood mice did not avoid traps treated with marten faeces. Faeces from European pine marten are clearly indicative of their movements, because their faecal marks are deposited in all its territory (Hutchings & White 2000;Barja 2005;Barja et al 2011). In view of these results, it could be that the ability of prey to detect and avoid predators depends in part on the experience, the ecology and the evolutionary history between predator and prey.…”

Resourceful mice do not starve: feeding efforts and decision-making process under a restricted unknown food source

“…Fresh faeces used for the treatment were obtained from captive red foxes (one male and one female) on a carnivorous diet from the Centro de Naturaleza Opennature Cañada Real (Peralejo, Madrid). We considered as fresh faeces only those ones with a layer of mucus, an elevated level of hydration and strong odour [53, 54], and all faecal samples were frozen at −20 ºC until treatment preparation. Seasonal and individual factors are known to influence volatile compounds variation among individuals [55, 56, 57, 58] so, to guarantee homogenization (providing a similar degree of predation risk in all the treated traps, and therefore) and avoiding possible result bias, all collected red fox faeces were properly mixed.…”