Social Variables Affecting Mate Preferences, Copulation and Reproductive Outcome in a Pack of Free-Ranging Dogs

摘要: Mating and reproductive outcome is often determined by the simultaneous operation of different mechanisms like intra-sexual competition, mating preferences sexual coercion. The present study investigated how social variables affected in a pack free-ranging dogs, species supposed to have lost most features system wolves during domestication. We found that, although comprised multiple breeding individuals, both male copulation success female were positively influenced linear combination dominance rank, age leadership. Our results also suggest that mate affect reinforcing dominant individuals. In particular, their oestrous period bitches clearly searched for proximity high-ranking males who displayed affiliative behaviour towards them, while they more likely reject intimidated them. At same time, courting effort male-male competition receptive females appeared be stronger presence higher-ranking females, suggesting preference females. To our knowledge, these provide first clear evidence regulation activities domestic some common organizing may contribute shape organization dogs wolves.