Scent‐marking behavior by subordinate Eurasian beavers

Abstract

Chemical communication by scent‐marking is widespread among mammals and can serve different purposes, such as territory demarcation, mate attraction and self‐advertisement. In this study, we examined scent‐marking behavior by subordinate Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in a population in southeast Norway. We conducted scent experiments in 18 family groups, simulating a territory intruder using experimental scent mounds (ESM). In total, we recorded 196 territorial reactions (destroying and/or overmarking of scent mounds). Subordinates contributed 14% of all territorial reactions and first overmarked 12% of the ESM, and the number of subordinates in the family group did not increase the total number of territorial reactions. This suggests that the contribution by subordinates plays a minor role in territorial defense. The number of territorial reactions by subordinates was positively related to the age of their parents, suggesting that subordinates might take over territorial duties with increasing parental senescence, likely because they have increased chances of inheriting the territory. Increased experience in territorial activities possibly helps subordinates to successfully gain and defend a territory of their own.

Causes and consequences of inverse density‐dependent territorial behaviour and aggression in a monogamous mammal

“…A visit was defined as an individual showing a sniffing response to an ESM. A territorial reaction was defined as destroying and/or overmarking of the ESM (Hohwieler et al, ; Rosell et al, ). We identified territory owners based on the presence of a GPS (and GPS data), individual features (e.g.…”

“…We identified territory owners based on the presence of a GPS (and GPS data), individual features (e.g. distinctive tail scars) and the ear tag number, position (left or right ear) and colour (Hohwieler et al, ).…”

“…Territory occupancy is advertised by the construction of scent mounds close to territory borders (Rosell, Bergan, & Parker, 1998), with male territory owners contributing more towards territory defence than females (Rosell & Thomsen, 2006). Subordinates occasionally scent mark, but contribute little to the territory defence (Hohwieler, Rosell, & Mayer, 2018). However, territory owners were shown to stay closer to the lodge when family sizes increase (Steyaert, Zedrosser, & Rosell, 2015), indicating a potential trade-off between patrolling effort and parental care.…”

Landscape structure and population density affect intraspecific aggression in beavers

“…Both the Eurasian beaver ( Castor fiber ; Figure 1) and the North American beaver ( Castor canadensis ) are highly territorial mammals (Hodgdon & Lancia, 1983; Hohwieler et al., 2018; Müller‐Schwarze & Heckman, 1980), making them an optimal model to study intraspecific aggression. They are obligate monogamous, live in family groups, and are very similar in morphology and ecology (Baker & Hill, 2003; Wilsson, 1971).…”

Long-term capture and handling effects on body condition, reproduction and survival in a semi-aquatic mammal

“…We use Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) as a model species to study long-term effects of repeated capture and handling in a highly territorial, semi-aquatic mammal. Beavers (including C. canadensis) have been intensively studied describing, among other things, reproduction [35][36][37] , territorial communication [38][39][40][41] , resource and habitat use [42][43][44][45] and time-budgets [46][47][48] . However, effects of capturing and handling individuals, as well as deploying telemetry devices, which have taken place in several of these research projects, have not been investigated besides short-term effects of tagging 16,49 .…”