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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2282/278
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| Title: | A test of the dear enemy phenomenon in the Eurasian beaver |
| Authors: | Rosell, Frank
Bjørkøyli, Tore |
| Issue Date: | 2002 |
| Publishers version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/anbe.2002.3010 |
| Abstract: | We tested the hypothesis that Eurasian beavers, Castor fiber, display the dear enemy phenomenon; that
is, they respond less aggressively to intrusions by their territorial neighbours than intrusions by
nonterritorial floaters (strangers). This ability could be advantageous in facilitating differential treatment
of wandering strangers versus established neighbours. Territorial beavers were presented with scent from
neighbouring and stranger adult males. Thirty-nine different active beaver families, 18 in 1998 and 21 in
1999, were presented with a two-way choice between two pairs of experimental scent mounds; mounds
with castoreum from a neighbour and a stranger, and mounds with anal gland secretion from a
neighbour and a stranger. Direct observations of the families during evenings showed that: (1) beavers
sniffed both castoreum and anal gland secretion from a stranger significantly longer than from a
neighbour, and (2) beavers responded aggressively (stood on the mound on their hind feet, pawing
and/or overmarking) significantly longer to castoreum, but not to anal gland secretion, from a stranger
than from a neighbour. When experimental scent mounds were allowed to remain overnight and the
beavers’ responses were measured the following morning, the beavers’ responses were significantly
stronger to both castoreum and anal gland secretion from a stranger than from a neighbour. These
findings indicate that Eurasian beavers can use scent to discriminate between neighbours and strangers,
thereby supporting existence of the dear enemy phenomenon in this species. |
| Keywords: | Beavers
Territorial behavior
Scent marking
Scent mound
Castoreum
Anal gland secretion |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Document type: | Journal article |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2282/278 |
| Appears in Collections: | Institutt for natur-, helse- og miljøvernfag
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