The significance of male-male aggression for yearling dispersal in roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus )

摘要: The significance of adult buck aggression as a proximate factor driving yearling male dispersal in roe deer, Capreolus Capreolus, was studied Sweden during the season (April–June) 1988–1991. In there is well established positive correlation between antler size and tendency. I tested prediction that yearlings with large antlers will experience more agonism from bucks than those smaller antlers. Additionally, relationship level sexual maturity, by recording date velvet shedding, sampling testes weights culled breeding season. amount experienced positively correlated their April May, whereas June no such found. Aggression towards all tended to increase progressed. A weight evident, larger earlier shedding occured. These results indicate: firstly, an important underlying dispersal; secondly, mainly directed sexually most mature yearlings. This, turn, suggests mate competition be ultimate cause male-male agonism, thus this species.