First records of preorbital gland opening in rare wild barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii) in social contexts may help to explain this phenomenon in cervids

摘要: The opening of the preorbital gland in deer serves as a visual communication and has been linked to wide variety behavioural situations. As we reported recently, all previous long-term studies on were carried out only one species, whereas case reports six other rarely studied species have shown associations with different behaviours, thus greatly increasing our overall understanding real function this animal communication. Here, report for first time barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii) social contexts observed wild population Kanha National Park, India. We behaviour two contexts: agonistic sexual. Moreover, record during copulation is amongst cervids. Our findings both indicate that was opened when individual highly excited. suggest may be an important indicator involved serious intraspecific interaction, useful tool which distinguish between playful especially sexual