Group composition and cohesion in sympatric white-tailed deer and mule deer

摘要: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been reported to live in smaller groups than mule hemionus). Group size, however, generally varies with habitat conditions, and no comparison has made between the social structures of two species living same ecological conditions. I compared composition, stability formed by sympatric whitetails a prairie south- ern Alberta. Seasonal trends were similar for species. Females fawns usually small during summer. Larger mixed-sex became increasingly common winter, well after breeding season. Despite seasonal trend, significantly more likely occur relatively large composed both sexes female groups. Mule stable whitetail groups, marked developed strong associations other known fawns. Habitat variation was limited not related group size. These results show that composition cohesion differ, even when circumstances. The differ- ences grouping behaviour, larger cohesive whitetails, are consistent those expected result from selection pressure predation. Resume : Les cerfs de Virginie virginianus), rapporte-t-on dans la litterature, vivent en groupes plus petits que les mulets La taille des varie, cependant, avec conditions l'habitat et il n'existe pas comparaison structure sociale deux especes vivant memes ecologiques. Il m'a ete possible comparer taille, stabilite formes par sympatrie un du sud l'Alberta. tendances saisonnieres sont sem- blables chez especes. femelles daims forment generalement durant l'ete. Des grou- pes grands comprenant mâles deviennent frequents hiver, bien apres fin saison reproduction. Malgre similaires, susceptibles se retrouver au sein relativement l'hiver ont chances femelles. stables ceux marques etabli liens tres forts d'autres connus. est limitee n'est reliee groupes. Ces resultats montrent qu'il existe diffe- rences mulets, meme lorsque espe- ces cohabitent similaires. difference comportement regroupement, grande Virginie, compatibles ef-