Weapon damage is associated with contest dynamics but not mating success in fallow deer (Dama dama).

ABSTRACT: Antlers function as primary weapons during fights for many species of ungulate. We examined the association between antler damage and (i) contest dynamics: the behavioural tactics used during fighting including fight duration, and (ii) mating success, fighting rate and dominance. Structural damage of the antlers was associated with contest dynamics: damage was negatively associated with jump clash attacks by individuals with damaged antlers, whereas opponents were more likely to physically displace individuals with damaged antlers during fighting. We found a positive association between dominance and damage indicating that high-ranking individuals were likely to have breaks to their antlers. We found no evidence that damage was associated with either mating success or the number of fights

SUBMITTER: Jennings DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5719384 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature