Tool-use in a display behaviour by Eurasian beavers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Castor fiber</Emphasis>) |
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Authors: | Liat R Thomsen Ruairidh D Campbell Frank Rosell |
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Institution: | Department of Ecology and Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. liat.thomsen@nf.au.dk |
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Abstract: | Tool use is rare amongst rodents and has never been recorded in connection with agonistic displays. We witnessed a behaviour,
stick display (StD), involving tool use in free-living Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) that we conclude is a display behaviour. Two beavers were the main performers of the signal that was observed in at least
six beavers from three families. Beavers reacted to displays by increased evasive and agonistic behaviours compared with their
usual behavioural patterns when at territory borders. The behaviour was almost exclusively seen between rivals at territory
borders. We suggest that the display is used in agonistic encounters, mainly in a territorial context.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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Keywords: | Castor fiber Rodent Tool use Display |
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