Olfactory signals constitute an important mechanism in interspecific interactions, but little is known regarding their role in communication between predator species. We analyzed the behavioral responses of a mesopredator, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), to an olfactory cue (scat) of an apex predator, the lynx (Lynx lynx) in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland, using video camera traps. Red fox visited sites with scats more often than expected and the duration of their visits was longer at scat sites than at control sites (no scat added). Vigilant behavior, sniffing and scent marking (including over-marking) occurred more often at scat sites compared to control sites, where foxes mainly passed by. Vigilance was most pronounced during the first days of the recordings. Red fox behavior was also influenced by foxes previously visiting scat sites. They sniffed and scent marked (multiple over-marking) more frequently when the lynx scat had been over-marked previously by red fox. Fox visits to lynx scats may be seen as a trade-off between obtaining information on a potential food source (prey killed by lynx) and the potential risk of predation by an apex predator.

中文翻译：

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Mesopredator 对顶级捕食者嗅觉信号的行为反应

嗅觉信号构成了种间相互作用的重要机制，但对其在捕食者物种之间的交流中的作用知之甚少。我们使用摄像机陷阱分析了中掠食者红狐 (Vulpes vulpes) 对位于波兰 Białowieża 原始森林的顶级捕食者猞猁 (Lynx lynx) 的嗅觉线索 (scat) 的行为反应。红狐访问有粪便的站点的频率比预期的要高，而且他们在粪便站点的访问持续时间比对照站点长（不添加粪便）。与狐狸主要经过的对照地点相比，在粪便地点更常出现警惕行为、嗅探和气味标记（包括过度标记）。在录音的头几天，警惕性最为明显。红狐的行为也受到以前访问过粪便地点的狐狸的影响。当猞猁粪便之前被红狐过度标记时，他们会更频繁地嗅闻和标记气味（多次过度标记）。狐狸对猞猁的访问可能被视为获取有关潜在食物来源（被猞猁杀死的猎物）的信息与被顶级捕食者捕食的潜在风险之间的权衡。