Group connection and the number of males in female-philopatric animal groups
2008
Horiuchi, Shiro
Previous studies have considered the equilibrium group size in gregarious animal species assuming isolated groups. Neighboring groups usually interact, which likely affects the equilibrium group size. Here I examine the possibility that the movements of solitary males between areas near neighboring groups cause the number of group males to increase in female-philopatric animal species when groups are connected. I hypothesized the following mechanisms. In habitats where groups are connected, solitary males move easily between areas near adjacent groups. Group males will accept one solitary male as a new member. Another solitary male migrates from an area near the group to an area near a neighboring group defended by relatively fewer group males. The model predicts that the number of group males increases through the hypothesized mechanisms when groups are connected if group males and solitary males do not cooperate effectively.
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