Abstract
BackgroundInformation transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines. Depending on the intended receiver(s), latrines are either formed at territorial boundaries (between-group communication) or in core areas of home ranges (within-group communication). The relative importance of both types of marking behavior should depend, amongst other factors, on population densities and social group sizes, which tend to differ between urban and rural wildlife populations. Our study is the first to assess (direct and indirect) anthropogenic influences on mammalian latrine-based communication networks along a rural-to-urban gradient in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) living in urban, suburban and rural areas in and around Frankfurt am Main (Germany).ResultsThe proportion of latrines located in close proximity to the burrow was higher at rural study sites compared to urban and suburban ones. At rural sites, we found the largest latrines and highest latrine densities close to the burrow, suggesting that core marking prevailed. By contrast, latrine dimensions and densities increased with increasing distance from the burrow in urban and suburban populations, suggesting a higher importance of peripheral marking.ConclusionsIncreased population densities, but smaller social group sizes in urban rabbit populations may lead to an increased importance of between-group communication and thus, favor peripheral over core marking. Our study provides novel insights into the manifold ways by which man-made habitat alterations along a rural-to-urban gradient directly and indirectly affect wildlife populations, including latrine-based communication networks.
Highlights
Information transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines
While latrine dimensions at rural study sites became smaller with increasing distance from the burrow (Fig. 3a), the opposite pattern was observed at urban study sites: latrines that were located at the relative periphery of the latrine-marked area were larger than those located close to the burrow (Fig. 3c)
Based on previous studies on this and other mammalian species, we argue that increased peripheral marking in urban populations reflects an increased importance of between-group communication, and this seems to be a consequence of higher population densities, smaller group sizes, and altered predation risk
Summary
Information transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines. Latrines deposited along territory boundaries are known to serve as a visual and olfactory fence, to indicate territorial occupancy, and to signal the competitive ability of the territory owner(s), e.g., towards neighboring territory holders (between-group communication; seen in European badgers, Meles meles [5, 6]; lemurs [7]; meerkats, Suricata suricatta [8], and bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus [9]) Besides this peripheral marking behavior, several species establish latrines in central parts of their home ranges—termed core marking—in order to support the monopolization of key resources, such as food, shelter, burrows, or nest sites (seen in European badgers [6, 10], lemurs [4, 7], and Arabian gazelles, Gazella arabica [11, 12]). This, in turn, favors peripheral over core marking, as suggested for high density rural European badger populations [15, 16] (for European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, see [17])
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