Spatial and seasonal patterns of communal latrine use by spotted hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta ) reflect a seasonal resource
- PDF / 629,218 Bytes
- 14 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 15 Downloads / 172 Views
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Spatial and seasonal patterns of communal latrine use by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) reflect a seasonal resource defense strategy Jessica D. Vitale 1,2 & Neil R. Jordan 2,3,4
&
Geoffrey D. Gilfillan 2,5 & J. W. McNutt 2 & Tom Reader 1
Received: 21 January 2020 / Revised: 16 August 2020 / Accepted: 20 August 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Communal marking sites, or latrines, appear to play an important role in intraspecific communication and social dynamics in a wide range of mammal species. The spatial distribution of latrines can provide clues to their function and has been well documented in a number of species.Latrineusemayvaryconsiderablythroughtime,however,andamorecomprehensiveapproachtotheirstudythatconsidersspatial and seasonal patterns of use is required to understand more fully the costs and benefits of latrine use, and hence their adaptive significance. This study investigated spatial and seasonal patterns of latrine use by spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in northern Botswana, examining their potentialrole in resourcedefense.Latrine characteristicsand hyenaactivity were monitoredto testtheinfluence ofseason and location (relative to clan territories and roads) on latrine use. We conducted monthly scat counts (at 78 latrines) and continuously recorded hyena visitation (to 50 latrines) in five clan home ranges, demonstrating clear seasonal patterns in latrine use. Latrines were smaller in the wet season (November-March), resulting from fewer visits by hyenas, reduced scat accumulation, and the seasonal activity of coprophagous beetles. We speculate that such a seasonal pattern may be driven by reduced competition for food during the wet season. Latrines located within core clan areas were no larger or more frequently used than those in home-range boundary areas, but hyenas did preferentially place latrines alongside roads and were more likely to reuse road-side latrines in subsequent years. This pattern was not due to observer detection bias and adds to the growing body of literature on the impact that roads and other anthropogenic features have on the communication and movement ecology of wild animals. Significance statement Although most mammals use communal marking sites, very little is known about their function and detailed patterns of use in many species. We investigated latrine use in spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) and describe spatial and temporal marking patterns that are consistent with optimizing scent longevity and detection. Spatially, hyenas preferentially located latrines along the edge of man-made vehicle tracks, which may increase signal detection and transmission. Seasonal marking patterns suggest that hyenas optimize their communication by concentrating activity in the dry season, thereby avoiding the disruptive effects of coprophagous dung beetles and rain, and focusing activity during periods when food resources are expected to be scarcer. These results demonstrate seasonal and spatial Communicated by T. Stankowich
Data Loading...
