Face markings in Northern chamois: cues of dominance?

摘要: Black and white face markings in Artiodactyls are thought to be broadly associated with intraspecific communication. Evidence-based studies on the fine-scale mechanisms of signaling, however, scant. The occurrence black is one most distinctive features Northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra. Although their function unknown, they might possibly signal fighting abilities: if so, intensity color contrast should positively correlate traits involved aggressive contests, i.e. body mass horn size. We collected data marking ‘blackness’ as a proxy contrast, dressed length 103 either sex harvested during hunting season 2019 central Italian Alps. To investigate relationship between sex-specific length, we fitted an ordinal multilevel regression model Bayesian framework. Contrast score increasing both sexes, but this was much stronger females than males. related males not females. Our results offer some first insights into potential correlates facial mask, suggesting that provide age-specific cues mass-based dominance females, while role appears more uncertain. Behavioral marked or hunted individuals different environmental settings necessary confirm these findings, further understandings patterns chamois.