Latrines as Potential Communication Centres in Short-Beaked Echidnas

摘要: Localised defecation sites (‘latrines’) are an important method of intraspecific olfactory communication in mammals. As efficient, low-cost methods exchanging information, latrines might be especially for solitary or widely distributed species, those with low metabolic rates low-energy diets. Latrines can difficult to find and closely monitor, but information on their spatial distribution patterns use provide useful insights into possible functions. We used geographic mapping remote cameras describe spatial, temporal behavioural latrine a normally monotreme, the short-beaked echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus ; ‘echidna’). found 64 latrines, usually under logs scrub habitat areas intermediate (rather than high) overlap between resident home ranges. were most often visited through July–November, fresh scats August February. When visiting echidnas showed behaviours such as scanning nose-poking at soil, suggesting not purely likely perform role communication. suggest that play signalling use, particularly among females, whereas males monitor location activities potential mates competitors.