Meerkat Scent Marking (IMAGE) Duke University Caption A meerkat wipes his scent on a shrub in South Africa's Kalahari Desert, like a chemical "keep out" notice. A new study suggests that meerkats identify group members and potential mates with help from odor-producing bacteria that lurk in their hindquarters. Credit Courtesy of Lydia Greene, Duke University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.