Mother–offspring bonding in farmed red deer: accuracy of visual observation verified by DNA analysis

Vaňková, Dominika; Bartoš, Luděk; Čı́žová-Schröffelová, D; Nešpor, F; Jandurová, Olga Mercedes

doi:10.1016/s0168-1591(01)00125-3

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Reproductive status was recorded as: (i) without a calf at heel; (ii) with a calf at heel; (iii) unknown, when the maternal relationship was not obvious or observation time was too short to obtain reliable identification. The average distance between a mother and her calf was usually less than 10 m (Clutton‐Brock, Guinness & Albon 1982), thus maternal status could be assessed accurately from visual observations (> 89% accurate; Vankova et al . 2001).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can we use the young : female ratio to infer ungulate population dynamics? An empirical test using red deerCervus elaphus as a model

Bonenfant

Gaillard

Klein

et al. 2005

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Management decisions for exploited species often rely on count ratios, such as the young to adult female ratio as a proxy of birth rate, and the decrease in the ratio between yearling and females in year t + 1 and the young : female ratio in year t to obtain juvenile survival. However, the reliability of such estimates has yet to be demonstrated. 2. We investigated the consistency of the young to female ratio method by using observations on individually marked female red deer. These females were known to have raised their calves to weaning successfully. We compared temporal variation in the proportion of females with a calf at heel from count ratios with the probability of observing a calf with its mother from marked animals. 3. The proportion of females observed with a calf at heel decreased over time (from 0·43 early May to 0·15 early March). This measure was influenced by individual variation and by interactive effects of year and habitat type, although there was no direct relationship with the density of vegetation cover. 4. The proportion of females seen with a calf at heel assessed from counts did not correspond with the probability of observing a female with a calf at heel, given that she successfully weaned a calf in autumn (estimated from direct observation). The probability of observing a female with a calf was highest in September (0·4) prior to the rut and lowest just after the birth season (0·08) and during the rut (0·18). 5. The temporal pattern in the probability of observing a calf with its mother, given that she successfully weaned a calf, reflected changes in the mother-calf bond from birth to weaning, rather than changes in offspring mortality or changes in pregnancy rates. These variations in the probability of observing the mother-calf pair in the field may lead to strong biases in count ratio-based methodologies. 6. Synthesis and applications . This study has important implications for the management of ungulate populations when decisions are based on count ratios. Our results indicate that count-based estimates of vital rates are misleading, especially in closed habitats. Pregnancy rate and juvenile survival rate are both key parameters in detecting density-dependence responses. Reliable estimates of survival and pregnancy rates obtained from marked animals and foetus sampling are more accurate. Alternatively, yearly monitoring of young body mass or bone length coupled with an index of grazing pressure would improve the assessment of population dynamics.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can we use the young : female ratio to infer ungulate population dynamics? An empirical test using red deerCervus elaphus as a model

Bonenfant

Gaillard

Klein

et al. 2005

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…The early-born red deer calves from a mixed group of calves had a greater possibility of allosuckling from hinds with late-born calves due to red deer mothers producing excess milk during the first 5 weeks of lactation to compensate for milk-theft and to ensure a surplus of milk for their own calves (Landete-Castillejos et al, 2000. Moreover, red deer mothers appear less able to discriminate their own offspring during early stages of lactation (Vaňková et al, 2001). The learning to parent, milk evacuation, neuroendocrine and improving immunocompetence hypotheses have received little empirical support (Roulin and Heeb, 1999; see review by Roulin, 2002Roulin, , 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allosuckling in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): Milk-theft, mismothering or kin selection?

Engelhardt¹,

Weladji²,

Holand³

et al. 2014

Behavioural Processes

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“…All animals were marked with collars. Maternity of individual hinds was confirmed by a genetical analysis (Vaňková et al 2001). According to previous results (Bartoš et al 2001), we classified the hinds as ‘maternal’ (mothers and adoptive hinds) and ‘non‐maternal’.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Function of Mounting Behaviour in Farmed Red Deer Calves

Ková¹,

Bartoš²

2002

Ethology

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The function of mounting behaviour was studied in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) calves. On the basis of previous work, we tested two alternative hypotheses about the function of this behaviour. The first hypothesis deals with the proximate function of the behaviour. Three predictions were tested: (1a) mounting behaviour attracts the attention of the mother and/or consolidates the mother–calf bond; (1b) mounting is intended to obtain more milk; (1c) mounting is intended to prevent other calves from sucking from the mother. The second hypothesis deals with an ultimate function in practising for future life with two predictions tested: (2a) mounting behaviour is part of calves' play behaviour promoting development of the calf's locomotor and social skills; (2b) calves gain sexual experience through mounting behaviour. For the study, 50 hind‐calf pairs were observed. The maternity of individual hinds was confirmed by a genetical analysis. The hinds were classified as ‘maternal’ and ‘non‐maternal’ and the calves as ‘filial’ and ‘non‐filial’. We recorded 40 cases of mounting behaviour involving 25 hinds and 21 calves. Our results suggest that the mounting behaviour of red deer calves serves several different functions depending on the circumstances. In association with suckling, calves of both sexes mounted maternal hinds mainly to attract their attention and to achieve another suckling. In situations not associated with suckling, mounting by male calves might be considered part of their sexual training. On the other hand, mounting by female calves probably reflects the attempt to maintain contact with their mother in tense situations.

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Mother–offspring bonding in farmed red deer: accuracy of visual observation verified by DNA analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 6 publications

Can we use the young : female ratio to infer ungulate population dynamics? An empirical test using red deerCervus elaphus as a model

Can we use the young : female ratio to infer ungulate population dynamics? An empirical test using red deerCervus elaphus as a model

Allosuckling in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): Milk-theft, mismothering or kin selection?

The Function of Mounting Behaviour in Farmed Red Deer Calves

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