Perspectives on over-marking: is it good to be on top?

摘要: What we refer to as over-marking occurs when one individual places its scent mark on top of, touching, or adjacent the of another individual, usually a conspecific. Over-marking frequently among mammals that share common paths, trails, and runways. Despite ubiquity terrestrial mammals, know little about how individuals respond over-marks function(s) over-marking. Studies voles golden hamsters indicate after exploring an over-mark, selectively top-scent donor relative bottom-scent donor. Thus, may be able focus their attention particular relevant at time in context, neglecting other marks are present. The examined within framework ten hypotheses. Several hypotheses plausible. However, bulk literature is consistent with stating serving role olfactory communication between opposite same-sex conspecifics. Lastly, postulate costs benefits garnered by over-mark.