MALE AND FEMALE ASSOCIATION AND MATING SYSTEM IN THE CHINESE WATER DEER (HYDROPOTES INERMIS)

The association and mating system of the Chinese water deer (Hydropote s inermis) were studied at Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, Jiangx i, China. Loose associations were found between females, and between m ales and females during the mating season. Males pursued females in th eir territories and played an active role in male-female association. Males showed a higher level of association with females three days bef ore copulation than afterwards. Repeated copulations, each of which la sted a few seconds, were observed. The mating system was polygynous, w ith each male copulating with 1.75 females on average. Yearling males and some adult males were excluded from reproduction.