BORDER CONFLICTS AMONG TERRITORIAL ROCK WALLABIES (PETROGALE-ASSIMILIS)

Videotapes of territorial conflicts between rock wallabies, Petrogale assimilis, were analysed by means of sequential and frequency analysis . P. assimilis differs from most species of macropodoids in that they form long-lasting pair-bonds, and both partners of a pair defend a com mon territory within a colony. The video-analysis reveals differences between fights of P. assimilis and the ''typical'' pattern of macropod fighting. Most conflicts are solved by display. Even in actual fighti ng, few elements of ''physical aggression,'' such as biting or kicking , etc., are evident, and there is no winner/loser typical frequency di fference of any elements. Many conflicts end as a draw. These differen ces are similar to differences between fighting in territory holders o f small monogamous African antelopes and those of other, more polygyno us bovids. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.