Ziege, M, Bierbach, D, Bischoff, S, Brandt, AL, Brix, M, Greshake, B, Merker, S, Wenninger, S, Wronski, T and Plath, M (2016) Importance of latrine communication in European rabbits shifts along a rural–to–urban gradient. BMC Ecology, 16 (29). ISSN 1472-6785

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Abstract

Information 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).

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	06 Biological Sciences, 05 Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	BMC
Date Deposited:	20 Mar 2019 15:09
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 10:46
DOI or ID number:	10.1186/s12898-016-0083-y
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/8013

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