Premium
The control of progression order in a captive herd of sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger )
Author(s) -
Stine Wm. Wren,
Howell Leonard L.,
Murdock Gwendolyn K.,
Newland M. Christopher,
Conradsen Linda,
Maple Terry L.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430010203
Subject(s) - herd , biology , terminology , position (finance) , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , finance , economics
A small herd of captive sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger ) was observed repeatedly while progressing through a gate connecting a pasture to a corral. The ordinal position of each herd member was recorded during each progression. These data were analyzed quantitatively with respect to three models of progression order control and one of random ordering. An end point‐control model, stating that the oldest female of a progression occupies the first position while the remainder of the animals randomly distribute themselves within the progression, accounts for the data. These results are related to both protection and resource learning theories of progression order. The terminology used in the study of leadership and ordinal progressions is discussed as well.