Grouping patterns in a forest dwelling population of Pyrenean chamois.

J. Herrero; I. Garín; A. García-Serrano; R. García-González; A. Aldezábal

doi:10.3989/pirineos.2002.v157.64

Grouping patterns in a forest dwelling population of Pyrenean chamois.

Authors

J. Herrero Ecology Department. Faculty of Biology. University of Alcalá.
I. Garín Zoology and Animal Cell Dynamics Department. University of the Basque Country. Bilbo
A. García-Serrano Ega Wildlife Consultants. Zaragoza
R. García-González Pyrenean Institute for Ecology, CSIC. Jaca
A. Aldezábal Ecology and Plant Ecology Department. University of the Basque Country. Bilbo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.2002.v157.64

Keywords:

Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica, Pyrenees, group size and composition, seasonal and habitat variation, biological cycle,

Abstract

Diurnal grouping in a population of Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra p. pyrenaica was studied by direct observation on the edge of their westernmost distribution. The whole area occupied by a population was surveyed by performing monthly fixed transects over one year. The size of 214 groups ranged from 1 to 54. Both size and composition were quite variable and differed between seasons and habitats. Groups were generally very small (45% of only one animal, median: 2; P₇₅=4), which is characteristic of small and low density forest-dwelling populations. Groups appeared to depend strongly on the annual biological cycle, food distribution and vegetation cover. The spatial segregation between males and females was only evident in the summer, when solitary males mostly occupied the forest and females with kids lived on open pasturelands. All the general patterns on size and composition of the groups occurred in this population.

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Published

2002-12-30

How to Cite

Herrero, J., Garín, I., García-Serrano, A., García-González, R., & Aldezábal, A. (2002). Grouping patterns in a forest dwelling population of Pyrenean chamois. Pirineos, 157, 89–102. https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.2002.v157.64

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Issue

Vol. 157 (2002)

Section

Articles

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