Use of latrines and territorial marking behaviors by Subulo gouazoubira in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The chemical communication signals the presence of individuals and territorial occupation, providing information about identity, sex, and reproductive status. This study aimed to characterize the use of latrines by the gray brocket deer, Subulo gouazoubira, in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest located in southeastern Brazil, as well as to describe its territorial marking behaviors, contributing to a better understanding of the species’ social communication strategies. Four monitoring points were used, but latrine use was recorded at only two of them. Twenty-seven independent records of S. gouazoubira were obtained, totaling 29 specimens recorded, comprising 59% males, 28% females, and 14% deer with undetermined sex. Twenty-five interactions with latrines and five types of behavior were recorded: defecation, urination, front paw scratching against the ground, tail shaking, and sniffing the area near the latrine. Among the recorded behaviors, 56% were performed by females, 40% by males, and 4% by specimens with undetermined sex. There was variation in the types and frequency of behaviors recorded, indicating that territorial marking behavior might be variable between latrines. Latrine use also varied temporally concerning the time of day when behaviors were recorded and the interval between records of odoriferous marking at the same latrine. Differences in latrine use between males and females were also observed, suggesting intersexual variations in territorial marking strategy. The obtained results, although limited to a few sampling points, suggest complexity in territorial marking behavior and interaction with latrines in S. gouazoubira, highlighting spatial differences, distinct temporal dynamics, and variations between sexes.