SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF MALE NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS: II. FEMALE RESPONSE TO POTENTIALLY INJURIOUS ENCOUNTERS

摘要: [During mating attempts by males, female elaphant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are sometimes injured or killed as they return to sea at the end of lactation. We tested two predictions from general hypothesis that females behave in a way reduces possibility injury death sexual encounters with males: 1) departing attempt avoid and 2) if males cannot be avoided, exhibit sexually receptive behavior thereby reduce threat aggressive attempts. Circumstances surrounding departure 336 harems on Ano Nuevo rookery central California were recorded over course nine breeding seasons 1982-1990. Females did little harems; not leave greater numbers night, groups, during disturbances harem periphery. They did, however, preferentially high tide which reduced distance water shortened transist time. Most resist peripheral but, rather, unusually receptive. Receptive received fewer blows capable producing than resisting females. conclude this context "buys safe passage". It is an effective means reducing male aggression probability injury; has no need restrain blows, should most dominant area copulate female, he frequently escorts her defends other males., During males.]