Social relationships of reindeer Rangifer tarandus during rut: Implications for female choice

摘要: Abstract The social relationships of reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus L.) during rut were examined in northeastern Finnish Lapland. Most individually recognized and their age kin known. majority mating groups consisted loosely organized harems between which females moved. Higher-ranking frequently associated with higher-ranking males lower-ranking males, although the targets herding by any ranking females. It is suggested that actively choose particular breeding partners. Furthermore, related females, except for mother calf or yearling daughter, only infrequently observed within same group. There dominance among more was very little opportunity subordinate to mate Regardless effort made harem-holding male, able leave harem. Consequently, however, a dominant male could expect new join his harem through female choice.