No abstract

In this study we examined the effects of social intelligence, empathy, verbal ability and appearance-reality distinction on the level of peer acceptance, as well as the moderating role of gender. Participants were 98 five-year-old children (43 boys and 55 girls; mean age 5 years 3 months for boys and girls). Our results showed a main effect of social intelligence on peer acceptance, as well as several other effects that were moderated by gender: a significant and positive effect of verbal ability on social acceptance was found for boys; appearance-reality distinction was found to have a positive effect on social acceptance in the case of girls; and although empathy had a significant positive effect on social acceptance for both boys and girls, this effect was more pronounced among boys. Our results suggest that abilities promoting peer acceptance are different for boys and girls.

Current population structure patterns of roe deer Capreolus capreolus in Spain were assessed through the analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was detected in the D-loop and NADH-dehydrogenase ND1 segments of mitochondrial DNA. Nuclear variation was investigated using 12 microsatellite loci. A total of 126 roe deer were analysed from fourteen sampling sites across the Iberian peninsula, including the Andalusian population from Sierra de Cádiz, which represents the southwestern limit of the distribution of C. capreolus. Results from both mitochondrial and microsatellite variation revealed a considerable level of structuring for roe deer populations throughout the Spanish range. In particular, evidence was provided from mtDNA of a genetic differentiation of roe deer populations in northern Spain from those occurring in southern areas, with a particular distinctiveness of the Andalusian roe deer. Concordant results were obtained from classical clustering analysis based on microsatellite loci. Furthermore, a Bayesian approach to microsatellite data proved more efficiently that northern roe deer are in turn genetically heterogenous, comprising at least three subpopulations. The phylogeographic pattern suggests a history of long-term isolation of the two main groups of roe deer populations, possibly as a consequence of the climatic changes in the Late Pleistocene. The occurrence of two genetic lineages calls for different strategies of conservation and management of this species in the Iberian Peninsula, according to the geographic distribution of populations.

Between 1984 and 1987, we recorded the sleeping-site and lodge tree preferenees of night monkeys at the Beni Biologieal Station, Bolivia. We eharaeterized the strueture of sleeping-site compared lodge trees to nonlodge trees, and determined the frequency of their use. Aotus azarae used braneh and liana platforms on trees of the middle strata of the forest as sleeping sites, but the lodge trees provided sparse caver. Monkeys may manipulate either natural aecumulations of material or bird nests to serve as sleeping sites. The eharaeteristies of the sleeping site and of the Iodge trees may be related to proteetion against predators and to thermal advantages. The distribution of lodge trees appeared to be re/ated to aeeess to food. Aetivities around the sleeping site eould be re/ated to marking behavior.

During three years from 1982 to 1984 the rutting behaviour of fallow deer was studied at the Doñana Reserve (Southwestern Spain). Timing of rutting season is constant across years, starting suddenly at the beginning of October, remaining at a high level for the first two weeks, extending for one more week and then decreasing gradually through the autumn. Average harem size does not vary much across seasons (from 9.1 to 10.6 individuals) but during the 1982 period, when for the first time the spring rains reached normal level after a period of severe draught, the number of harems was at its lowest level, whereas female membership in those harems was the highest. The smaller number of bucks holding harems in 1982 showed higher values of individual reproductive success than during subsequent years. The peak of the rutting period coincides with maxima of groaning and of interactions both towards males and females, whereas grazing is at its lowest level. Marking activity starts with high values at the beginning (if the rutting season and decreases gradually. The more successful 'nales show an attachment to particular rutting areas.