Year-round defecation pattern in wild genets (Genetta genetta L.) in a mountain forest (Toledo, central Spain)

Abstract

Faeces are used by many territorial car-nivores as a communication tool (G or man 1990). A lot of species, from small muste-lids (Hutchings and White 2000) to big predators (Vi l á et al. 1994, Mat yush k i n 2000), leave their scats in places where the probability of interception by other animals is maximal and which are associated with reference points that may visually and/or ol-factorily increase the effectiveness of the signal. The pattern and frequency of marking within species varies with the sex, social and reproductive status of the individual (Mac-dona ld 1980). Common genet (Genetta genetta Linneus 1758) is a medium-sized carnivore distributed in southwestern Europe (L ar iv ière and C a lzad a 2001). It is a territorial species (Pa lomares and D elib es 1994, Zub ero-goit i a et al. 2002, Munuera and L lob e t 2004) that deposits its scats in latrines (R o e der 1980a, Virgós et al. 1996, 2001), which can be used multiply by the same individual or by familiar groups, using such latrines as marking tools (R o e der 1980a). Ano-urogenital marking in males increases during the breeding season and decreases when this ends (R o e der 1978). Scent marks in common genets permit assessment of social status and may allow individual recognition (R o e der 1980b). When present, rocks are the commonest defecation location, but other elevated points such as tree branches, walls or raptor nests can also be used (L ive t and R o e der 1987, Pa lomares 1993, Vi rgós et al. 1996). Def-ecation behaviour of genets in the wild has been studied by Pa lomares (1993) in Do-ñana National Park (Southwestern Spain), where two annual peaks in the number of faeces at latrines were found. The first one, in February and March, could be related to the mating period. The second one, in November and December, is coinciding with the dispersal period of cubs and with a secondary rut season (D el ib es 1974, Ay mer ich 1982). Rocks are not available in Doñana (Pa lo-mares 1993). The aim of this study is to test whether the number of scats as well as the height of their deposition (above the ground) is related to the period of reproductive cycle. The study was carried out in Toledo Mountains (Central Spain; 39º35´N, 4º 41´W).