1989/01/12 by Jochen Langbein, Simon Thirgood · 4 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1989.tb00529.x
openalex publication_date 1989/01/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract Variation in mating systems of fallow deer ( Dama dama L.) was studied in wild and park populations and could be broadly distinguished into 7 categories: following, harems, dominance groups, stands, temporary stands, multiple stands, and leks. The ecological factors which exerted the greatest influence on mating systems were buck density, doe density, and habitat structure and tree cover, resulting in pronounced changes in the degree and type of territoriality observed. Individual male reproductive success was highly skewed in all systems. A greater range of concurrent mating strategies was observed in wild populations than in parks.