The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears
Large mammals select conspicuous objects on which to deposit their scent marks, which may function to supplement the olfactory signal, visually and/or chemically. Analysing marking sites is paramount to understanding whether signallers could mitigate potential fitness costs by placing scents strateg...
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ftcquniportalfig:oai:figshare.com:article/13461278 2023-05-15T18:41:58+02:00 The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears M Clapham Owen Nevin A Ramsey F Rosell 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10018/937377 unknown https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_function_of_strategic_tree_selectivity_in_the_chemical_signalling_of_brown_bears/13461278 http://hdl.handle.net/10018/937377 CQUniversity General 1.0 Conservation and Biodiversity Wildlife and Habitat Management Behavioural Ecology Behavioural plasticity Brown bear Chemical communication Conspicuous object Energetic investment Rub tree Scent marking Ursus arctos Text Journal contribution 2013 ftcquniportalfig 2022-08-05T12:14:04Z Large mammals select conspicuous objects on which to deposit their scent marks, which may function to supplement the olfactory signal, visually and/or chemically. Analysing marking sites is paramount to understanding whether signallers could mitigate potential fitness costs by placing scents strategically to reduce time and energy investment. The defining characteristics of marking sites are unclear across species, and variation in the literature concerning selectivity may be explained by behavioural plasticity. We took an evolutionary perspective on the selection and spatial distribution of marking trees by brown bears, Ursus arctos, to account for such variation. Our hypothesis, that brown bears would be selective in the trees used for scent marking, was supported; the trees chosen were located in regularly visited areas, where the defence of a resource is needed. The criteria of a marking tree appear to be primarily location and then about properties that facilitate their use as a conspicuous object; bears selected rarer species and trees of larger size than the average available. Other features, such as aromatic properties of the species, bark texture and the ability of the bark to hold scent, may act additionally to determine a tree’s marking potential. The energetic investment in manufacturing pungent volatile odours could be reduced if signallers utilize tree properties to attract receivers. Across mammalian taxa, whether a tree is selected for marking appears to vary based on environmental context; the principal function is to limit the energetic costs of producing scent marks by placing marks strategically to increase the likelihood of attracting potential receivers. Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper Ursus arctos CQUniversity: acquire |
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topic |
Conservation and Biodiversity Wildlife and Habitat Management Behavioural Ecology Behavioural plasticity Brown bear Chemical communication Conspicuous object Energetic investment Rub tree Scent marking Ursus arctos |
spellingShingle |
Conservation and Biodiversity Wildlife and Habitat Management Behavioural Ecology Behavioural plasticity Brown bear Chemical communication Conspicuous object Energetic investment Rub tree Scent marking Ursus arctos M Clapham Owen Nevin A Ramsey F Rosell The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
topic_facet |
Conservation and Biodiversity Wildlife and Habitat Management Behavioural Ecology Behavioural plasticity Brown bear Chemical communication Conspicuous object Energetic investment Rub tree Scent marking Ursus arctos |
description |
Large mammals select conspicuous objects on which to deposit their scent marks, which may function to supplement the olfactory signal, visually and/or chemically. Analysing marking sites is paramount to understanding whether signallers could mitigate potential fitness costs by placing scents strategically to reduce time and energy investment. The defining characteristics of marking sites are unclear across species, and variation in the literature concerning selectivity may be explained by behavioural plasticity. We took an evolutionary perspective on the selection and spatial distribution of marking trees by brown bears, Ursus arctos, to account for such variation. Our hypothesis, that brown bears would be selective in the trees used for scent marking, was supported; the trees chosen were located in regularly visited areas, where the defence of a resource is needed. The criteria of a marking tree appear to be primarily location and then about properties that facilitate their use as a conspicuous object; bears selected rarer species and trees of larger size than the average available. Other features, such as aromatic properties of the species, bark texture and the ability of the bark to hold scent, may act additionally to determine a tree’s marking potential. The energetic investment in manufacturing pungent volatile odours could be reduced if signallers utilize tree properties to attract receivers. Across mammalian taxa, whether a tree is selected for marking appears to vary based on environmental context; the principal function is to limit the energetic costs of producing scent marks by placing marks strategically to increase the likelihood of attracting potential receivers. |
format |
Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper |
author |
M Clapham Owen Nevin A Ramsey F Rosell |
author_facet |
M Clapham Owen Nevin A Ramsey F Rosell |
author_sort |
M Clapham |
title |
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
title_short |
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
title_full |
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
title_fullStr |
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
title_full_unstemmed |
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
title_sort |
function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10018/937377 |
genre |
Ursus arctos |
genre_facet |
Ursus arctos |
op_relation |
https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_function_of_strategic_tree_selectivity_in_the_chemical_signalling_of_brown_bears/13461278 http://hdl.handle.net/10018/937377 |
op_rights |
CQUniversity General 1.0 |
_version_ |
1766231543075831808 |