Abstract:
This experiment explored the role of scent marking in communication of dominance and resource ownership in whitefooted mice (Peromyscus leucopus). We tested the hypothesis that scent marks made by a resource owner familiarize an intruder with its scent for future recognition and thus decrease aggression levels. An intruder mouse was placed in an aquarium scent-marked by a resource owner. When the two were placed in a neutral arena for behavioral observation, less aggression occurred than between pairs of mice that were unfamiliar with each other.