Sex Differences in Social Play of Scimitar‐horned Oryx Calves (Oryx dammah)

Abstract

and Summary Sexual differences in play have been reported for a variety of mammalian species, the majority of which arc polygynous and sexually dimorphic in size. These observed sex diflerences in play have been interpreted by the physical training hypothesis as having evolved to train young differentially for adult roles. This study examined sex differences in play behaviour of a polygynous, but isomorphic, ungulate — the scimitar‐horned oryx (Oryx dammah). 8 calves were studied in captivity at the National Zoological Park's Conservation and Research Center. Mate calves initiated more bouts of social play and used more components of contact and dominance during play than did ♀♀. Age was an important factor in play partner choice, but sex and genetic relatedness were not. Mixed sex play was common, and the duration of play between ♂♂ and ♀♀ was longer than that between ♀♀. The results supported the physical training hypothesis, but suggested that size dimorphism between the sexes was also important in the ontogeny of sex differences in play. Zusammenfassung Von verschiedenen Tieren werden geschlechtsspezifische Spiele beschrieben. Die meisten dieser Tiere sind polygyn und sexuell dimorph. Das führte zu der Hypothese, diese Spiele dienten dam, die Jungen auf ihre verschiedenen Erwachsenen‐Rollen vorzubereiten. Hier werden Spiele einer polygynen aber monomorphen Antilope, Oryx dammah, auf geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede untersucht. 8 Junge (4 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀) wurden in Gefangenschaft beobachtet. Männliche Kälber begannen signifikant mehr Spiele und verwendeten mehr Kontakt– und Dominanzelemente als weibliche. Spielpartner wurden nach dem Alter ausgewählt, aber nicht nach Geschlecht oder Verwandtschaft. Gemischtes Spielen war üblich und dauerte länger als Spielen allein zwischen weiblichen Kälbern. Größendimorphismus der Geschlechter scheint wichtig für die Entwick‐lung geschlechtsspezifischer Unterschiede beim Spielen.

Social Play among Juvenile Bighorn Sheep: Structure, Development, and Relationship to Adult Behavior

“…The lambs did not show 'a preference to play with lambs of the same sex, which may have been a function of small group sizes. Scimitar-horned oryx calves (Oryx dammah) also showed no preference for same-sex partners (PFEIFFER 1985). Male Siberian ibex kids (Capra ibex) preferred male rather than female partners for social play (BYERS 1980).…”

Individual‐ and Sex‐related Strategies of Wrestling Play in Captive Squirrel Monkeys

“…Several recent studies have looked at sex-related strategies of play, establishing that males' greater use of combat skills as adults is reflected in early sex differences in play (ARNOLD& TRILLMICH 1985;BERGER 1980;BYERS 1980;PFEIFER 1985). The present study goes beyond between-sex comparisons to investigate within-sex individual differences in play, identifying strategies by which individuals can maximize beneficial play interactions and minimize play interactions deleterious to themselves.…”

The drivers and functions of rock juggling in otters

“…Juvenile males in various species display increased levels of social locomotor play behaviour, e.g. play fighting, which is thought to relate to the increased intrasexual competition they will encounter in adulthood [38][39][40]. With regard to object play, juvenile female chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) perform more stick-holding behaviours than juvenile males, a behaviour thought to be associated with parental care activities, which in turn is more pronounced in females than males [41].…”