The role of previous social encounters and body mass in determining social rank: an experiment with white-tailed deer

摘要: The social organization of many vertebrates is based on dominance behaviours occurring between pairs individuals. Initial encounters any two individuals can be crucial in determining the relationship that will prevail them throughout their lifetime. Achieving a high status critical when competition for limited resources such as foraging sites intense. mechanisms establishment and stability relationships are, however, poorly understood. Our study aims to identify factors influencing young individuals, using white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, fawns model species, evaluate possibility long-term individual recognition after temporal separation. We used an experimental approach test alternative hypotheses separation are explained by (1) outcome previous opponents or (2) body mass difference independently initial encounters. Social rank was established during first differences maintained afterwards even were reversed. results suggest may influence Dyadic seem early life then endure into adulthood.