Coexistence of stoat, Mustela erminea, and weasel, M. nivalis : social dominance, scent communication, and reciprocal distribution

摘要: Social dominance and interference are two components included in hypotheses attempting to explain stoat-weasel coexistence. In this study we tested predictions related 1) stoat dominance, 2) the importance of interspecific scent communication 3) local distribution species field. encounter tests demonstrated a clear dominance. Weasels discriminated between their own species' odour that entered stoat-scented traps less frequently than expected by random choice. contrast, stoats did not react weasel odour. Field capture data indicated reciprocal distribution; when habitats with high vole densities were occupied stoats, weasels scarce or absent, but sometimes moved into such areas after they had been abandoned stoats.