Estimation of the probability of fighting in fallow deer (Dama dama) during the rut

Abstract

Fighting between males is a frequent component of the rutting behavior of Cervidae. Frequent conflicts are exhausting; fighting may be risky and can lead to serious injuries or even death. We focused on the process of assessment of the opponent's fighting ability and escalation of the combat, estimating the probability of fighting based on the encounter components such as groaning and parallel walk. In this study, we observed the agonistic behavior of fallow deer bucks (Dama dama) during the rut over four seasons. During this time, we recorded 205 encounters between bucks. Non-contact display, which allows contestants to assess their opponents fighting ability, occurred in 83% of the encounters. The highest predicted probability of a fight was found when both of the males vocalized and turned into the parallel walk. The chance of a clear outcome decreased when the males were fighting in comparison to when they did not fight. The initiator of the competitive encounter won 41% of the cases, while the attacked buck won 23% of the encounters. If the contestants avoided fighting, however, the initiator won 78% of encounters. Therefore, the initiator was more successful when no fight occurred compared to when the encounters escalated into fighting. In most cases where ritualized behavior occurred, one of the opponents left after vocalization or parallel walk occurred. Thus, vocalization and parallel walk increased the probability for a clear outcome. The probability of a fight was lowest in situations where the males displayed asymmetric behavior. Increased symmetry of the contestants' behavior was strongly correlated with a higher probability of a fight. Thus, these results indicate that fallow deer bucks use efficient tactic during the rut, which, in turn, minimizes the chance of injury while fighting during the breeding season. Aggr. Behav. 33:7-13, 2007. r

Reproductive biology of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus): a review

“…11E). Commonly, individuals do not engage again, but walk slowly 1 m apart for 10–30 m, presenting their antlers and sparring [76], similarly to reports in Dama dama [97] and Cervus elaphus [33]. We have also observed walking similar to that described by Jackson [76] between males that were not in direct contact, but separated by fencing.…”

“…Sometimes several males challenge the same or nearby bucks. As reported for fallow deer [ 97 ], it is frequently difficult to determine who is the winner of the fight [[ 83 ], and our own observations].…”

“…Frädrich [ 39 ] observed the head lowered and slow walking away from the aggressor. Possibly the lack of physical contact in most of behavioural units as well as the small number of combats observed between adult males contribute to "a lower frequency of fight" and "decrease [the] risk of serious injury", as reported by McElliot et al [cited by Bartos, [ 97 ]] in Dama dama .…”

Relationship Between Number and Intensity of Fighting: Evidence From Cow Fighting Tournaments in Valdostana Cattle

“…Other examples of escalated agonistic interactions have been found elsewhere in natural situations, e.g., in Cervids as roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Hoem et al, 2007), red deer Cervus elaphus , fallow deer Dama dama (McElligott et al, 1998;Bartos et al, 2007), and in a number of other species, as Norway rat Rattus norvegicus (Lehner et al, 2011) or whip spider Phrynus marginemaculatus (Fowler-Finn and Hebets, 2006).…”

Bioacoustic cues and their relations to dominance rank in Père David’s deer stags

“…Apart from fights among themselves, males also invest energy in ritualised competition. For instance, parallel walk and vocal contest are usually found in red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and Père David's deer (McComb 1991; Li et al 2001;Reby and McComb 2003b;Bartoš et al 2007). We distinguished that Père David's deer vocalised using two types of calls, namely, (1) the common roar and (2) the chasing bark during the rutting season.…”