CLUSTERS IN SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR OF FEMALE DOMESTIC CATS (FELIS-SILVESTRISCATUS) LIVING IN CONFINEMENT

Associations between different agonistic and affiliative behavioural p atterns of female domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) were studied. In three groups of intact cats living in confinement frequencies of f ourteen agonistic and affiliative behavioural patterns were recorded. The technique of factor analysis (Principal Components Analysis follow ed by varimax rotation on a dyads X behavioural patterns matrix) was u sed to detect clusters in these behavioural patterns. Five factors (or types of interindividual relationships) were extracted per group. The y accounted collectively for at least 77% of the total Variance presen t in the data. Although differences existed between groups with respec t to behavioural patterns included in each factor, four clusters of be haviours could be discriminated: (I) social rubbing, lordosis and roll ing in front of partner (sexual behaviour), (II) allogrooming, social sniffing, nosing, sniffing rear and treading (inspection-affiliative b ehaviour), (III) offensive behaviour and staring, and (IV) defensive b ehaviour and staring. The role of these clusters in group living is di scussed.