Clues for dominance in female chamois: Age, weight, or horn size?

摘要: A study of social interactions among female Apennine chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata was made in Abruzzo National Park, central Italy, between 1981 and 1982. linear hierarchy females observed, rank order being highly correlated with age, weight, horn size. An analysis which physical clues are used by to assess dominance suggests that body weight may be the most important attribute. The percentages threats displays decrease beyond 7–8 years age when usually start lose whereas horns keep growing throughout life. Furthermore, greater effect compared size on rank/age correlation supports our conclusion.