Behavioral strategies used in scent communication can reflect the adaptive capacity of animals. Signal detection theory and the principle of least effort posit that scent marking must be efficient and energy maximizing. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a solitary species that relies heavily on scent communication. There have been few studies on scent communication of wild pandas due to their elusive nature. To deepen the understanding of scent communication in this vulnerable species, we analyze a novel dataset obtained from integrating transect surveys on scent marked trees with infrared camera trapping of wild giant pandas performing scent marking and scent investigation behaviors. We found that pandas selected large coniferous trees for scent marking relative to what was available. Of the scent marked trees, trees that were more frequently marked than others were those of preferred species, high elevation, at topographical aspects conducive for odor transmission, with larger surrounding trees, and at gentle slopes. There were three peaks in the frequency of scent communication throughout the year in October, December, and March, the third period overlapping with the mating season. Scent communication occurred mainly during daytime hours, peaking at dusk (18:00–20:00). Frequency of anogenital gland secretion (AGS) markings were significantly greater than urine markings during the mating season but not during other times of year, which may reflect their stronger capacity to convey estrus state of females during mating season. The findings enrich the understanding of giant panda scent communication, and more broadly emphasize the importance of considering scent communication for conservation efforts such as corridor design for this vulnerable species.

气味交流中使用的行为策略可以反映动物的适应能力。信号检测理论和最省力的原理认为，气味标记必须高效且能量最大化。大熊猫（大熊猫））是一种孤独的物种，在很大程度上依赖于气味交流。由于其难以捉摸的性质，很少有关于野生大熊猫的气味交流的研究。为了加深对这种脆弱物种的气味交流的了解，我们分析了一个新的数据集，该数据集是通过对进行了气味标记和气味调查行为的野生大熊猫进行红外标记照相机捕获，对气味标记的树木进行横断面调查而获得的。我们发现，大熊猫选择了大型针叶树进行气味标记（相对于现有树木）。在带有气味标记的树木中，比其他树木标记频率更高的树木是高树种，高海拔，有利于气味传播的地形方面，周围树木较大，坡度平缓。在整个十月，十二月和三月的一年中，气味交流的频率出现了三个高峰，第三个时期与交配季节重叠。气味交流主要发生在白天，在黄昏（18：00–20：00）达到高峰。在交配季节，肛门生殖腺分泌（AGS）标记的频率显着高于尿液标记，但在一年中的其他时间则没有，这可能反映了它们在交配季节传达雌性发情状态的能力更强。这些发现丰富了对大熊猫气味传播的理解，并更广泛地强调了考虑将气味传播用于保护工作的重要性，例如为此脆弱物种进行走廊设计。气味交流主要发生在白天，在黄昏（18：00–20：00）达到高峰。在交配季节，肛门生殖腺分泌（AGS）标记的频率显着高于尿液标记，但在一年中的其他时间则没有，这可能反映了它们在交配季节传达雌性发情状态的能力更强。这些发现丰富了对大熊猫气味传播的理解，并更广泛地强调了考虑将气味传播用于保护工作的重要性，例如为此脆弱物种进行走廊设计。气味交流主要发生在白天，在黄昏（18：00–20：00）达到高峰。在交配季节，肛门生殖腺分泌（AGS）标记的频率显着高于尿液标记，但在一年中的其他时间则没有，这可能反映了它们在交配季节传达雌性发情状态的能力更强。这些发现丰富了对大熊猫气味传播的理解，并更广泛地强调了考虑将气味传播用于保护工作的重要性，例如为此脆弱物种进行走廊设计。这可能反映出她们在交配季节传达雌性状态的能力更强。这些发现丰富了对大熊猫气味传播的理解，并更广泛地强调了考虑将气味传播用于保护工作的重要性，例如为此脆弱物种进行走廊设计。这可能反映出她们在交配季节传达雌性状态的能力更强。这些发现丰富了对大熊猫气味传播的理解，并更广泛地强调了考虑将气味传播用于保护工作的重要性，例如为此脆弱物种进行走廊设计。