Snake scent application in ground squirrels, Spermophilus spp.: a novel form of antipredator behaviour?

Clucas, Barbara; Rowe, Matthew P.; Owings, Donald H.; Arrowood, Patricia C.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.05.024

Cited by 24 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, there is no support for either the conspecific deterrence or ectoparasite defence hypotheses. The duration of application is not related to flea loads in ground squirrels (Clucas et al 2008) and rattlesnake scent had no impact on squirrel social and antipredator behaviour, or flea host choice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Squirrels were trapped and released after each had been weighed, anaesthetized, dye-marked with a number, sexed and aged (see Clucas et al 2008 for details).…”

Section: (B) Experiments 2 (I) Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clucas 2006, unpublished data). These commandeered odours may reduce predation (Brodie 1977;Kobayashi & Watanabe 1986;Xu et al 1995;Clucas et al 2008), but the effects of the applied scent on predators have not yet been tested systematically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many vertebrates self-apply odiferous foreign substances to their integument (see Clucas et al 2008). Rodents, for example, self-apply the scent of their predators by chewing on the scent source and licking their bodies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rodents, for example, self-apply the scent of their predators by chewing on the scent source and licking their bodies. Chipmunks, ground squirrels, and grasshopper mice apply snake scent in this way (Kobayashi & Watanabe 1986;Clucas et al 2008;M. Rowe 2000, unpublished data), and rats and ground squirrels apply weasel anal gland secretions ( Xu et al 1995;B.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Donning your enemy's cloak: ground squirrels exploit rattlesnake scent to reduce predation risk

2008

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp.) have evolved a battery of defences against the rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.) that have preyed on them for millions of years. The distinctive behavioural reactions by these squirrels to rattlesnakes have recently been shown to include self-application of rattlesnake scentsquirrels apply scent by vigorously licking their fur after chewing on shed rattlesnake skins. Here, we present evidence that this behaviour is a novel antipredator defence founded on exploitation of a foreign scent. We tested three functional hypotheses for snake scent application-antipredator, conspecific deterrence and ectoparasite defence-by examining reactions to rattlesnake scent by rattlesnakes, ground squirrels and ectoparasites (fleas). Rattlesnakes were more attracted to ground squirrel scent than to ground squirrel scent mixed with rattlesnake scent or rattlesnake scent alone. However, ground squirrel behaviour and flea host choice were not affected by rattlesnake scent. Thus, ground squirrels can reduce the risk of rattlesnake predation by applying rattlesnake scent to their bodies, potentially as a form of olfactory camouflage. Opportunistic exploitation of heterospecific scents may be widespread; many species self-apply foreign odours, but few such cases have been demonstrated to serve in antipredator defence.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Squirrels were trapped and released after each had been weighed, anaesthetized, dye-marked with a number, sexed and aged (see Clucas et al 2008 for details).…”

Section: (B) Experiments 2 (I) Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Donning your enemy's cloak: ground squirrels exploit rattlesnake scent to reduce predation risk

2008

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Anointing variation across wild capuchin populations: a review of material preferences, bout frequency and anointing sociality in Cebus and Sapajus

Alfaro

Matthews

Boyette

et al. 2011

American J Primatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The frequency of anointing bouts and the materials used for self- and social anointing vary across capuchin species in captivity, but there is little published data on capuchin anointing in the wild. Here we present previously unpublished data on anointing behaviors from capuchin monkey populations at ten different field sites and incorporate these data into a review of the anointing literature for captive and wild capuchins. Using a comparative phylogenetic framework, we test four hypotheses derived primarily from captive literature for variation in anointing between wild untufted capuchins (Cebus) and tufted capuchins (Sapajus), including that (1) the frequency of anointing is higher in Cebus, (2) Cebus uses a higher proportion of plant species to insect species for anointing compared with Sapajus, (3) anointing material diversity is higher in Cebus, and (4) social indices of anointing are higher in Cebus. We found that wild Cebus anoints more with plant parts, including fruits, whereas wild Sapajus anoints more with ants and other arthropods. Cebus capucinus in particular uses more plant species per site for anointing compared with other capuchins and may specialize in anointing as an activity independent from foraging, whereas most other capuchin species tend to eat the substances they use for anointing. In agreement with captive studies, we found evidence that wild Cebus anoints at a significantly higher frequency than Sapajus. However, contrary to the captive literature, we found no difference in the range of sociality for anointing between Cebus and Sapajus in the wild. We review anointing in the context of other Neotropical primate rubbing behaviors and consider the evidence for anointing as self-medication; as a mechanism for enhanced sociality; and as a behavioral response to chemical stimuli.

show abstract

Olfactory predator recognition in the brown mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

Deppe

Kushnick

2020

American J Primatol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predator odors such as urine and feces are known to elicit antipredator behaviors in prey including avoidance, fear, and curiosity. We measured how wild brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus) responded to odors of mammalian, avian, and snake predators as well as nonpredator controls. The first experiment took place under controlled conditions in a laboratory where we recorded the occurrence of four behavioral categories (ignore, curiosity, alert, and fear) in response to a single odor. Subjects exhibited behavioral change significantly more often in response to the predator than to control stimuli, but did not distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar predators. Mammalian predator urine and feces were most likely to elicit behavioral change. The owl was the only predator to never elicit behavioral change, possibly because owls do not provide relevant odor cues. A second experiment employing live traps in the forest found that neither predator nor control odors affected the likelihood of capture. Due to their longevity, odors do not provide accurate information of spatial and temporal risk, and while mouse lemurs may have initially hesitated to enter a trap, in the absence of additional information about risk, they may have eventually ignored the stimuli. This study found that brown mouse lemurs are able to distinguish between predator and nonpredator odors, and that risk assessment may be affected by the experience, as well as predator and sensory stimulus quality.

show abstract

Snake scent application in ground squirrels, Spermophilus spp.: a novel form of antipredator behaviour?

Cited by 24 publications

References 56 publications

Donning your enemy's cloak: ground squirrels exploit rattlesnake scent to reduce predation risk

Donning your enemy's cloak: ground squirrels exploit rattlesnake scent to reduce predation risk

Anointing variation across wild capuchin populations: a review of material preferences, bout frequency and anointing sociality in Cebus and Sapajus

Olfactory predator recognition in the brown mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About