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Observations on marking behaviour in a low-density population of European badgers (Meles meles)

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Abstract

The marking behaviour of the European badger (Meles meles L., 1758) in a low-density population of NW Italy was investigated by examining the distribution and pattern of use of latrines in relation to space-use by a badger social group, as assessed by radiotracking. Latrines were mostly placed close to linear features and marked the core area of the group. The winter-spring peak in latrine use suggested that marking behaviour was correlated to reproductive cycle and involved in sexual advertisement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Biology, Pavia University, Via Taramelli 22, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Alessandro Balestrieri, Luigi Remonti & Claudio Prigioni

Authors
  1. Alessandro Balestrieri
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  2. Luigi Remonti
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  3. Claudio Prigioni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudio Prigioni.

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Balestrieri, A., Remonti, L. & Prigioni, C. Observations on marking behaviour in a low-density population of European badgers (Meles meles). acta ethol 14, 65–68 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-011-0093-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-011-0093-x

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