muskelopeuging

Muskelopeuging is a term used in speculative biology and science fiction to describe a scent-marking behavior of musk-bearing antelope-like mammals. The term denotes the production, release, and deposition of musk-like secretions as a communicative signal among group members.

Secretions are produced in specialized glands located near the base of the tail and along the jawline. When released, volatile compounds form a scented plume that adheres to grasses and shrubs, enabling wind-assisted distribution over several meters. The composition is described as a mix of musk-like terpenoids and sulfur-containing compounds.

Muskelopeuging occurs most intensely during the breeding season and in territorial or dense habitats. Individuals rub glands against vegetation, drag scent across paths, or spray from gland openings. Receivers interpret intensity and composition to assess an individual's age, dominance, and reproductive status.

The behavior is portrayed as a long-range and short-range signal, influencing mate choice, mate guarding, and territorial boundaries. It interacts with visual displays and vocalizations in the species' communication repertoire.

In fictional field guides, researchers measure mark density, track plume persistence, and analyze chemical signatures to infer population structure. The concept is often used to illustrate scent-based communication in non-human mammals and to explore how chemical signals integrate with other modalities in social behavior.

The name merges musk and antelope with the -ing suffix indicating a process or behavior. Muskelopeuging is a fictional construct, not observed in real species outside of speculative settings.