Influence of sex, season, temperature and reproductive status on daily activity patterns in Sardinian mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon)

摘要: We analysed the influence of light/dark cycle, temperature, sex, season, and reproductive status on daily activity patterns 26 radiocollared mouflons (17 females, 9 males) in Sardinia. Data their were collected from January 2006 to August 2007. Activity levels showed a 24-h bimodal pattern characterized by periodic cycles with increases decreases peaking at dawn dusk respectively. Beside being influenced environmental temperatures, adjusted seasonally according cycles. Only males significantly decreased level winter, i.e., when temperatures lower, thus suggesting that might be more sensitive cold winter weather than females. Males generally less active females presumably account allometric relationship between body size activity. However, as consequence spur, similar during autumnal rutting season. In summer without lamb day, highest recorded, while did not. fact, lambing season (late spring, summer) persisted day despite increase air temperature.