Hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) latrine use in relation to food abundance: evidence of the scarce factor paradox

摘要: Many carnivores use latrines, and investigations of latrine have typically been concerned with territorial defense, often at the expense fully evaluating other, not mutually exclusive, functions. In particular, relationship between food abundance patterns has explored inadequately, where location may be used to aid spatial memory, stake a claim on access temporally variable resources, or signal local depletion resources. Little is known about hog badger (Arctonyx collaris), however consensus that they are solitary, but nonetheless deposit their feces in without any group-territory defense function. This provides an ideal study system investigate how temporal variation strategy associated resource availability throughout year. We generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) information-theoretic approach test hypothesis seasonal resources most valued (i.e., foraging book keeping hypothesis). found showed significant habitat-related variations, number per reached maxima early summer was lowest autumn, significantly higher logged forest selectively farmland. The intensity exhibited negative environmental abundance, related dietary output (fecal contents). That is, badgers invested ‘marking' those more limited concurring scarce factor paradox, which asserts value commodity function its rarity.