Breeding behavior of female white‐tailed deer relative to conception: Evidence for female mate choice. Issue 7 (12th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Jeffery D.; Ditchkoff, Stephen S.; Collier, Bret A.; Ruth, Charles R.; Raglin, Joshua B.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 7:Issue 7(2017:Apr.)
• Page Start: 2395
• Page End: 2402
• Publication Date: 2017-03-12
• Subjects: activity pattern -- breeding strategy -- excursions -- mate choice -- white‐tailed deer; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2845
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Female white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are thought to choose between two behavioral strategies to maximize the quality of potential mates: sit and wait, characterized by concentrating activity within a restricted area, and excursive behavior, characterized by increased activity and excursions outside the home range. As movement patterns may influence conception, our goal was to examine the patterns of female white‐tailed deer movements to evaluate which breeding strategy was employed. We equipped 36 female white‐tailed deer with GPS collars from August 2013 to December 2015. We found that movement rate and probability of activity were greatest near the peak of the breeding season, and we observed increases in both metrics during the 40 days prior to estimated conception. Peak size of home range and core area occurred in the days surrounding conception. We found that 11 deer performed an excursion, ranging from 43 days before until 36 days after conception, with the peak probability of being outside of an individual home range occurring 1 day prior to conception. Our results suggest that female white‐tailed deer may attempt to maximize the quality of their mates by advertising availability for breeding through excursive behaviors just prior to entering estrus. Abstract : This study examined the movement of female white‐tailed deer relative to population breeding stages and individual estrus. Females were found to increase activity prior to conception, and maintain these elevated activity levels for a short‐time post conception. This behavior is interpreted as a means of female mate choice.