A Hypothetico-Deductive Approach to Assessing the Social Function of Chemical Signalling in a Non-Territorial Solitary Carnivore

摘要: The function of chemical signalling in non-territorial solitary carnivores is still relatively unclear. Studies on territorial and social have highlighted odour capability utility, however the wild carnivore populations operating dominance hierarchy systems has received little attention. We monitored scent marking investigatory behaviour brown bears Ursus arctos, to test multiple hypotheses relating signalling. Camera traps were stationed facing bear ‘marking trees’ document by different age sex classes seasons. found evidence support hypothesis that adult males utilise communicate other throughout non-denning period. Adult females did not appear trees advertise oestrous state during breeding season. subadult somewhat unclear, but may be related males. Subadults investigated more often than they marked season, which could a result an increased risk from Females with young showed increase investigation outside propose engage their dependent age, at ‘safe’ time year. Memory, experience, learning all contribute towards capabilities bears.