Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana

FIGURE 2.5 Visual signal is combined with odor release when an alarmed pronghorn Antilocapra americana) flares his "rump patch of long hair covering the ischiadic gland. (Photograph D. Miiller-Schwarze.)... 

Strange as it sounds, the absence of odor often serves as a powerful stimulis unfamiliar and still unmarked objects or areas prompt vigorous scent marking. This applies to many mammals, including ungulates, such as pronghorn, Antilocapra americana (Muller-Schwarze et al, 1972) rodents, such as house mice, Mus musculus (Hurst, 1987), and carnivores (Kleiman, 1966). For example, pine martens, Maries martes, mark most consistently unmarked objects and do not mark objects that already carry their own odor. It is concluded that marking primarily serves familiarization. 

Gilbert, B. K. (1973). Scent marking and territoriality in pronghorn [Antilocapra americana) in Yellowstone National Park. Mammalia 37,25-33. 

Millier-Schwarze, D., Miiller-Schwarze, C., and Franklin., W. F. (1972). Factors influencing scent marking in pronghorn [Antilocapra americana). Verhandlungen der Beutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft66,146-150. 

Alpaca, Lama pacos, 179 Anteater, giant, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, 478 Antelope, pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, 744... 

Raisbeck MF, O Toole D, Schamber RA, et al. 1996. Toxicologic evaluation of a high-selenium hay diet in captive pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana). J Wildl Dis 32(1) 9-16. 

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