Relationship Between Behavioral Frequency and Reproductive Potential of Female Alpine Musk Deer in Captivity

作     者：MENG Xiu-xiang Perkins Genevieve YANG Qi-sen FENG Zuo-jian XU Hong-fa FENG Jin-chao ZHAO Chang-jie HUI Cen-yi 

作者机构：College of Life and Environment Sciences Central University for Nationalities Beijing 100081 P.R.China Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100080 P.R.China College of Life Science East China Normal University Shanghai 200062 P.R.China 

出 版 物：《Agricultural Sciences in China》 (中国农业科学（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2008年第7卷第12期

页      面：1497-1502页

学科分类：0907[农学-林学] 090705[农学-野生动植物保护与利用] 09[农学] 

基　　金：the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30500060, 30640023,30770286) China Post-doctoral Foundation(2005038431) Shanghai Post-doctoral Scientific Pro-gram of China (2005038294) the 985 Research Projects (CUN 985-03-03) of the Central University for Nationalities of China 

主　　题：alpine musk deer captive female behavioral frequency copulation 

摘      要：Between June 2005 and February 2006, focal sampling and all occurrence behavior recording were used to quantify the behavioral patterns of captive female alpine musk deer （Moschus sifanicus） at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm, Gansu Province, China. Copulation success was used to differentiate individuals into two groups （successful and unsuccessful） and to provide a basis for behavioral comparisons, throughout both mating （rut） and non mating seasons. The results indicated significant differences between the behavior patterns of successful and unsuccessful females; however, the reproductive season played an important environmental factor. Pooling results across reproductive seasons, successfully copulating females showed significantly higher frequencies of vigilance and lower frequency of feeding behavior as compared with unsuccessfully copulating females. In the non-mating season, unsuccessfully copulating females had higher frequency of self-directed behavior, environment sniffing, and were less aggressive than successful copulating females. Furthermore, females who were successful at copulating also demonstrated tail-pasting behavior; however, this only occurred during the rut season. The results of this study can improve management practices for musk deer farms through increasing mating success and reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, variation in behavior may also be used as a predictor of copulation success and reproductive potential, whereby females can be grouped and separated according to their reproductive history and past reproduction success.