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Spatial Associations and Social Interactions in a “Solitary” Ungulate: the Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus (Pallas)
Author(s) -
Waser Peter M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
zeitschrift für tierpsychologie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0044-3573
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1975.tb01125.x
Subject(s) - ungulate , geography , census , population , territoriality , aggression , national park , demography , zoology , biology , ecology , psychology , sociology , social psychology , archaeology
The bushbuck population in a study area of 0.7 km 2 in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, was observed between June 22 and July 30, 1971. The animals (4 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, 4 immat.) were individually recognizable. Observations consisted of census sightings and longitudinal observations; during the latter location, neighbours, social encounters and other behaviour of focal animals were recorded continuously. 71% of the census sightings were of single animals. Hardly any aggression was observed, nor did the bushbuck actively avoid one‐another. The definition of the term “solitary” and possible advantages of a dispersed social system for the bushbuck are discussed.