Dominance and association among members of a captive and a free-ranging group of grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)
1973; Elsevier BV; Volume: 21; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0003-3472(73)80004-1
ISSN1095-8282
Autores Tópico(s)Primate Behavior and Ecology
ResumoDominance relationships and the degree of association between members of groups of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) were investigated by observing a small group in captivity and a larger free-ranging group. Only decisive aggressive interactions were used as a criterion of dominance, and the number of times individuals occurred together were used as a measure of association. A dominance hierarchy in which the male assumed the highest rank was found in the captive group, while in the wild hierarchies were found separately among both males and females in the group. A low level of positive association existed between members of both the groups studied and the data indicated that in general the free ranging animals tended to move about at random with respect to each other. In the captive group dispersion about the enclosure was regular but became more random during the day in winter and spring.
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