Premium
Dominance and aggression in various sized groups of red deer stags
Author(s) -
Bartoŝ Ludêk
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1986)12:3<175::aid-ab2480120304>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - agonistic behaviour , aggression , biology , rank (graph theory) , zoology , mathematics , psychology , combinatorics , social psychology
The influence of group size on agonistic behaviour of “white” red deer stags ( Cervus elophus L.) of different ranks in the hierarchy was examined during artificial feeding. Size of the social group was dependent on the season in the year and on age and general rank within the whole bachelor group inhabiting the enclosure of the stags. Group size differentially affected the behaviour of the stags according to the rank of the individual in the particular groups. Increased group size resulted in increased agonistic activity in top‐ranking stags. The number of attacks directed towards bottom‐ranking stags by other group members was also elevated. Stags of intermediate rank position showed a decrease in the number of interactions involved and a suppression of agonistic activity.