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Stability and Dynamics of Group Composition in a Herd of Captive Plains Zebras

1992; Wiley; Volume: 90; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1439-0310.1992.tb00829.x

1439-0310

Matthijs B.H. Schilder,

Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock

Abstract Although the social structure in a safari park population of plains zebras is similar to that observed in the wild, a number of behavioural differences between the two situations were found. Unlike in the wild situation, stallions expelled their own offspring, generally directly after the birth of a sibling. Other individuals frequently joined the stallion in expulsion behaviour. Harems remained intact in spite of the absence of the stallion. Stallions did not abduct young females, as in the wild, but they did abduct adult females when these were in estrus. Stallions further expelled adult mares which hindered them. The prominent role of the stallion in regulating group size could mean that the competition experienced in the safari park is harder for stallions than it is for mares. Young females not expelled from their natal harem go through a “wandering phase”, visiting other groups. After that they exert female choice when they eventually join a group or an individual.