Interpack communication in African wild dogs at long-term shared marking sites.

Scent marks deposited as semiochemical signals are a primary mode of communication for a broad range of mammal species. Such scent signals are often deposited at specific, frequently visited marking sites called latrines. Despite descriptions of widespread latrine use by numerous mammal species, detailed understanding of site visit rates and latrine function is lacking. Here we report for the first time a quantitative assessment of scent-marking behaviours that represent interpack olfactory communication by African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus , at latrines visited by multiple resident neighbouring packs, hereafter called a 'shared marking site' (SMS). We show that multiple packs visited specific SMSs frequently and regularly throughout the year, with a notable decrease in visits during the 3-month denning season coinciding with a contraction in range size. In addition to resident neighbouring packs, dispersing individuals visited and scent-marked at SMSs, suggesting that latrines function at least in part as sites communicating information about residence and possibly reproductive status. Further detailed investigation of the relevance of latrine use to territorial behaviour, ranging, habitat use and dispersal in this species is required, particularly as it may have direct applied conservation implications for this wide-ranging but territorial endangered species. • African wild dogs repeatedly visit and scent-mark at shared marking sites (SMSs). • Visits decrease during the denning season, coinciding with a range contraction. • SMSs are implicated in territorial advertisement. • SMSs are closer to roads than are controls and avoid grassland and permanent water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]