Red squirrel territorial vocalizations deter intrusions by conspecific rivals

摘要: In many species, territory advertisement is thought to be one of the primary functions acoustic communication. North American red squirrels are a territorial species in which ‘rattles’ have long been principal signal communicating ownership. These vocalizations assumed deter intruders, thus reducing energetic costs and risk injury associated with direct aggressive interactions. However, this hypothesis has not directly tested. Here we used speaker occupation experiment test whether squirrel rattles function conspecific rivals. We studied 29 male removed each individual from his twice paired design. During experimental treatment, simulated owner’s presence after its removal by broadcasting rattle loudspeaker at centre once every 7 min. control was left silence following temporary owner. found that replacement reduced probability intrusion 34% increased latency first 7%, providing support for play an active role risk. intrusions were completely averted replacement, indicating some individuals alone sufficient deterrent without other cues