Evaluating the responses of a territorial solitary carnivore to potential mates and competitors

摘要: Successful communication is critical to the fitness of individuals and maintenance populations, but less known regarding social contexts reactions scent marking by other in solitary carnivores, including pumas. We evaluated responses resident male pumas visitation potential competitors (other pumas) mates (female capturing 46 (Puma concolor), documenting behaviours using motion-triggered video cameras. By comparing puma rates response either or female visitors, we found that their were best explained combination both mates. Resident males returned sites more quickly increased rate flehmen after a females, while they duration visits males. Male also visited frequently summer autumn when lower, created nearly twice as many scrapes during these visits. This study suggests advertising for may sometimes overshadow importance deterring claiming territory.