Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-grxwn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-12T11:58:37.613Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Individuals and populations: the effects of social behaviour on population dynamics in deer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

T. H Clutton-Brock ,
F. E Guinness  and
S. D Albon
T. H Clutton-Brock
Affiliation:
Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, 34A Storeys Way. Cambridge CB3 ODT, England
F. E Guinness
Affiliation:
Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, 34A Storeys Way. Cambridge CB3 ODT, England
S. D Albon
Affiliation:
Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, 34A Storeys Way. Cambridge CB3 ODT, England
Get access

Synopsis

In the red deer population of the Isle of Rhum, the effects of increasing population density on reproduction and survival vary with the individual's sex, age. reproductive status, home-range quality, group size and social rank. Males are generally more strongly influenced than females. Within both sexes, individuals that are at an initial competitive disadvantage are generally most strongly influenced by rising density.

These differences are likeh to have far-reaching consequences. In particular, they may help to explain why dense deer populations commonly have female biased adult sex ratios: why calculations of maximum sustainable yield commonh overestimate the number of animals that can be culled; and why some populations that are not subiect to animal or human predation stabilize while others oscillate.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 82 , Issue 4: Deer, their biology, behaviour and impact , 1984 , pp. 275 - 290
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahlen, I. 1965. Studies on the red deer. Cerrus elaphus L. in Scandinavia III. Ecological investigations. Viltrevy 3, 177–376.Google Scholar
Albon, S. D., Mitchell, B. and Staines, B. W. 1983. Fertility and body weight in female red deer: a density dependent relationship. J. Anim. Ecol. 52, 969–980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alexander, R. D. 1974. The evolution of social behaviour. A. Rev. Ecol. Svstemalics 5, 325–383.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Altmann, J. 1980. Baboon mothers and infants. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Anderson, J. 1953. Analysis of a Danish roe deer population (Capreolus capreolus L.) based on extermination of the total stock. Dan. Rev. Game Biol. 2, 127–155.Google Scholar
Bacon, P. J. 1982. Population dynamics: models on individual growth, resource allocation and competitive theory. Merlevvood Research and Development Paper No. 88. Cambridge: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.Google Scholar
Bertram, B. C. R. 1975. Social factors influencing reproduction in wild lions. J. Zool., Lond. 177, 463–482.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boyce, M. S. and Wing, L. D. H. 1979 North American Elk: ecology, behavior and management. Thesis, University of Wyoming.Google Scholar
Caughley, G. 1970. Eruption of ungulate populations, with emphasis on Himalayan thar in New Zealand. Ecology 51, 53–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caughley, G. 1977. Analysis of Vertebrate Populations. London: Wiley.Google Scholar
Challies, C. N. 1974. Trends in red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations in Westland forests. Proc. N.Z. Ecol. Soc. 21, 45–50.Google Scholar
Cheney, D. L., Lee, P. D. and Seyfarth, R. M. 1981. Behavioural correlates of non-random mortality among free-ranging female vervet monkeys. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 9, 153–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clutton-Brock, T. H., Albon, S. D. and Guinness, F. E. 1982b. Competition between female relatives in a matrilocal mammal. Nature, Lond. 300, 178–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clutton-Brock, T. H., Guinness, F. E. and Albon, S. D. 1982a. Red deer: behavior and ecology of two sexes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Clutton-Brock, T. H., Guinness, F. E. and Albon, S. D. 1983. The costs of reproduction to red deer hinds. J. Anim. Ecol. 52, 367–383.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clutton-Brock, T. H.,. Albon, S. D. and Guinness, F. E. 1984. Maternal dominance, breeding success and birth sex ratios in red deer. Nature, Lond. 308, 358–360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clutton-Brock, T. H. and Harvey, P. H. 1979. Comparison and adaptation. Proc. Row Soc. Land. 205B, 547–567.Google Scholar
Cowan, I. McT. 1950. Some vital statistics of big game on over-stocked mountain range. Trans. N. Amer. Wildl. Cong. 15, 581–588.Google Scholar
Darling, F. F. 1937. A herd of red deer. London: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Dittus, W. P. J. 1977. The social regulation of population density and age-sex distribution in the Toque monkey. Behaviour 63, 281–322.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dittus, W. P. J. 1979. The evolution of behaviour regulating population density and age-specilix sex ratios in a primate population. Behaviour 69, 265–301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunbar, R. I. M. and Dunbar, E. P. 1977. Dominance and reproductive success among female gclada baboons. Nature. Lond. 266, 351–352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eltringham, S. K. 1979. The ecology and conservation of large African mammals. London: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Ferreira, R. E. C. 1970. Vegetation map of the Isle of Rhum. London: Nature Conservancy.Google Scholar
Flook, D. R. 1970. A study of sex differential in the survival of wapiti. Can. Wildl. Serv. Rep. Series No. 11.Google Scholar
Fowler, C. W. 1981. Comparative population dynamics in large mammals. In Dynamics of large mammal populations, ed. Fowler, C. W. and Smith, T. D., pp. 437–456. New York: Wiley-Interscience.Google Scholar
Fowler, C. W. and Smith, T. D. (Eds) 1981. Dynamics of large mammal populations. New York: Wilcy-Interscience.Google Scholar
Geist, V. 1971. Mountain Sheep: a study in behaviour and evolution. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Glucksman, A. 1974. Sexual dimorphism in mammals. Biol. Rev. 49, 432–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grubb, P. 1974. Population dynamics of the Soay sheep. In Island survivors, the ecology of the Soay sheep of St. Kilda. ed. Jewell, P. A. Milner, C. and Boyd, J. M.. pp. 242–272. London: Athlone Press.Google Scholar
Guinness, F. E.. Albon, S. D. and Clutton-Brock, T. H. 1978a. Factors affecting reproduction in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). J. Re prod. Fert. 54, 325–334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guinness, F. E., Clutton-Brock, T. H. and Albon, S. D. 1978b. Factors affecting calf mortality in red deer. J. Anim. Eeol. 47, 817–832.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guinness, F. E., Gibson, R. M. and Clutton-Brock, T. H. 1978c. Calving times of red deer on Rhum. J. Zooi. Lond. 185, 105–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamilton, W. J. and Blaxter, K. L. 1980. Reproduction in farmed red deer. 1. Hind and stag fertility. J. Agric. Sci. Camh. 95, 261–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hesselton, W. T., Severinghaus, C. W. and Tanck, J. E. 1965. Population dynamics of deer at the Seneca Army Depot. N. Y. Fish and Game J. 12, 17–30.Google Scholar
Hoogland, J. 1981. Sex ratio and local resource competition. Am. Mat. 117, 796–797.Google Scholar
Huxley, J. S. 1932. Relative Growth. London: Methuen.Google Scholar
Jewell, P. A., Milner, C. and Boyd, J. M. (Eds). 1974. Island survivors: The ecology of the Soay Sheep of St. Kilda. London: Athlone Press.Google Scholar
Julander, O., Robinette, L. W. and Jones, D. A. 1961. Relation of summer range condition to mule deer herd productivity. J. Wildl. Mgmt 25, 54–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Klein, D. R. 1968. The introduction, increase and crash of reindeer on St. Matthew Island. J. Wildl. Mgmt 32, 350–367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lande, R. 1980. Sexual dimorphism, sexual selection, and adaptation in polyiienic characters. Evolution 34, 292–305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laws, R. M., Parker, I. S. C. and Johnstone, R. C. B. 1975. Elephants and their habitats: the ecology of elephants in north Bunvoro, Uganda. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Leader-Williams, N. 1980. Population dynamics and mortality of reindeer introduced into South Georgia. J. Wildl. Mgmt 44, 640–657.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leader-Williams, N. and Ricketts, C. 1982. Seasonal and sexual patterns of growth and condition of reindeer introduced into South Georgia. Oikos 38, 27–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lomnicki, A. 1978. Individual differences between animals and the natural regulation of their numbers. J. Anim. Eeol. 47, 461–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lomnicki, A. 1980. Regulation of population density due to individual differences and patchy environment. Oikos 35, 185–193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lomnicki, A. 1982. Individual heterogeneity and population regulation. In Current problems in Sociohiology, ed. King's College Sociobiology Group, pp. 153–167. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Lowe, V. P. W. 1969. Population dynamics of the red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on Rhum. J. Anim. Eeol. 38, 425–457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCullough, D. R. 1979. The George Reserve deer herd: population ecology of a k-selecled species. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.Google Scholar
MacDonald, D. 1983. The ecology of carnivore social behaviour. Nature. Lond. 301, 379–384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McEwan, E. H. 1968. Growth and development of barren ground Caribou. II. Postnatal growth rates. Can. J. Zool. 46, 1023–1029.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mitchell, B. 1973. The reproductive performance of wild Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus). J. Reprod. Fert. Suppl. 19, 271–285.Google ScholarPubMed
Mitchell, B. and Brown, D. 1974. The effects of age and body size on fertility in female red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). Proc. Int. Congr. Game Biol. 11, 89–98.Google Scholar
Mitchell, B.. McCowan, D. and Nicholson, I. A. 1976. Annual cycles of body weight and condition in Scottish red deer. Cervus elaphus. J. Zool., Land. 180, 107–127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mitchell, B., Staines, B. W. and Welch, D. 1977. Ecology of red deer: a research review relevant to their management. Cambridge: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.Google Scholar
Moen, A. N. 1973. Wildlife ecology. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.Google Scholar
Reimers, E. 1972. Growth in domestic and wild reindeer in Norway. J. Wildl. Mgmt 36, 612–619.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinette, W. L., Gashwiler, J. S.. Low, J. B. and Jones, D. A. 1957. Differential mortality by sex and age among mule deer. J. Wildl. Mgmt 21, 1–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sinclair, A. R. E. 1977. The African Buffalo: a study of resource limiuuion of populations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Sinclair, A. R. E. and Norton-Griffiths, M. (Eds). 1979. Serengeti. dynamics of an ecosystem. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Sobanskii, G. G. 1979. Selective elimination in the Siberian stag population in the Altais as a result of the early winter of 1976 77. Soviet J. Ecol. 10, 78–80. (Trans, from Russian. Consultants Bureau. New York.)Google Scholar
Staines, B. W. 1970. The management and dispersion of a red deer population in Glen Dye. Kincardineshire. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Aberdeen.Google Scholar
Staines, B. W. 1974. A review of factors affecting deer dispersion and their relevance to management. Mammal. Rev. 4, 79–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stewart, L. K. 1976. The Scottish red deer census. Deer 3, 529–532.Google Scholar
Taber, R. D. and Dasmann, R. F. 1954. A sex difference in mortality in voung Columbian black-tailed deer. J. Wildl. Mgmt 18, 309–325.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tamarin, R. H. 1983. Animal population regulation through behavioural interactions. In Advances in the study of mammalian behaviour, ed Eisenberg, J. F. and Kleiman, D. G., pp. 698–720. American Society of Mammalogists Special Publication No. 7.Google Scholar
Ullrey, D. E., Youatt, W. G., Johnson, H. E., Fay, L. D. and Bradley, B. I., 1967. Protein requirement of white-tailed deer fawns. J. Wildl. Mgmt 31, 679–685.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wegge, P. 1975. Reproduction and early calf mortality in Norwegian red deer. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 39, 92–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Widdowson, E. M. 1976. The response of the sexes to nutritional stress. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 35, 175–176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilson, E. O. 1975. Sociobiology: the new synthesis. Harvard: Belknap Press.Google Scholar
Wrangham, R. W. 1981. Drinking competition in vervet monkeys. Anim. Behav. 29, 904–910.CrossRefGoogle Scholar