Vigilance behavior of Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica:Effect of sex and position in the herd

作     者：Antoni DALMAU Alfred FERRET Xavier MANTECA 

作者机构：Irta Finca Camps i Armet s/n Monells Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona School of Veterinary Science Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments 

出 版 物：《Current Zoology》 (动物学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2010年第56卷第2期

页      面：232-237页

核心收录：

学科分类：07[理学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：part of a "Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia" project (AGF99-0763-C02-02) funded by a grant (2001FI-00449) 

主　　题：Antagonistic interactions Group size Position Pyrenean chamois Sex Vigilance 

摘      要：The Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica is a mountain-dwelling ungulate with an extensive presence in open areas. Optimal group size results from the trade off between advantages （a reduction in the risk of predation） and disadvantages （competition between members of the herd） of group living. In addition, advantages and disadvantages of group living may vary depending on the position of each individual within the herd. Our objective was to study the effect of central vs. peripheral position in the herd on feeding and vigilance behavior in male and female Pyrenean chamois and to ascertain if a group size effect existed. We used focal animal sampling and recorded social interactions when a focal animal was involved. With males, vigilance rate was higher in the central part of the group than at the periphery, probably due to a higher density of animals in the central part of the herd and a higher probability of being disturbed by conspecifics. With females, vigilance rate did not differ according to position in the herd. Females spent more time feeding than males, and males showed a higher frequency of the vigilance behavior than females. We did not observe a clear relationship between group size and vigilance behavior. The differences in vigilance behavior might be due to social interactions