INVESTIGADORES
GIANNONI Stella Maris
artículos
Título:
Social Environment and Agonistic Interactions: Strategies in a Small Social Mammal
Autor/es:
ANDINO, NATALIA; CAPPA FLAVIO; CAMPOS VALERIA; GIANNONI STELLA
Revista:
ETHOLOGY
Editorial:
WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Referencias:
Lugar: Londres; Año: 2011 vol. 117 p. 992 - 1002
ISSN:
0179-1613
Resumen:
In group-living species, the development of agonistic interactions among
conspecifics may be affected by socio-ecological factors, such as size and
composition of social group, and availability of nests and food. We analysed
the importance of size and composition of social groups on agonistic
interactions among males in the Southern mountain cavy (Microcavia
australis). We made behavioural observations in four social groups of different
size and composition. We recorded two types of agonistic interactions:
agonistic displays and direct agonistic behaviours; both types
increased in the breeding season. A social group composed of a high
number of males was associated with high frequency of agonistic displays.
Direct agonistic behaviours were also influenced by the interaction
of season and number of males per social group and number of
females per social group. Agonistic interactions were also recorded
among males of different socials groups in the breeding season. Agonistic
displays were most frequent among males of the same social group,
whereas direct agonistic behaviours were most common among males of
different social groups. These results suggest that social factors affect
agonistic interactions among males of Southern mountain cavy and that
in a conflict situation, males develop different strategies, such as
increased frequency of agonistic behaviours in breeding season and
intragroup cooperation for defence of oestrous females.