Ecological and behavioural variables affecting the fallow deer mating system in Doñana

This study evaluates some morphological, ecological and behavioural aspects of fallow deer mothers and fawns during the calving season in order to know the antipredator tactics selected in this species living in a particularly open habitat at Donana National Park. In this area fallow deer give birth...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: San José, Cristina, Braza, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:1997
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/56225
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/56225
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Dama dama
antipredator strategy
Calving time
maternal behaviour
Descripción
Sumario:This study evaluates some morphological, ecological and behavioural aspects of fallow deer mothers and fawns during the calving season in order to know the antipredator tactics selected in this species living in a particularly open habitat at Donana National Park. In this area fallow deer give birth in synchrony during the first fortnight of June. At this time they move away from their matriarchal groups. A concentration of births in the early afternoon was detected, coinciding with the minimal activity of predators in the area. Mothers groom their offspring and ingest the birth remains to prevent the attraction of predators. During the first days of life fawns remain hidden keeping motionless.