Cheek-rubbing in golden marmots (Marmota caudata aurea) [Le marquage jugal chez les marmottes dorées].

Résumé

We studied the function of cheek-rubbing in golden marmots (Marmota caudata aurea) by combining observations of the external morphology of the orbital gland, observational studies of marmot cheek-rubbing, and experimental studies of marmots' responses to olfactory secretions from the orbital gland. Adult males had larger eyepatches - areas without hair above the orbital gland - than adult females. Both sexes produced sufficient glandular exudate to pool on the surface of the skin or fur above the orbital gland. Adult males cheek-rubbed more than adult females throughout the summer active season, but both males and females generally cheek-rubbed within 10 m of a main burrow. Adult males responded more vigorously to the smells of non-group members of both sexes than to group members of either sex. Adult females responded more vigorously to the smell of non-group females than to non-group males or group members of either sex. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that marmot cheek-rubbing functions to mark defended areas, possibly to minimize costs of aggressive interactions.