SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR, AGGRESSIVE INTERACTIONS AND AGE IN MALE MEDITERRANEAN MOUFLON (OVIS-GMELINI)

Breeding behaviour of Mediterranean mouflon (Ovis gmelini) was observe d in 45 tagged animals in an enclosure. Observations focused on female s during their estrus and on the associated males. We characterised th e behaviour of the males by the rate of copulatory behaviour, rate of ''tending'' versus ''coursing'' tactics and rate of intrasexual aggres sivity. The breeding behaviour (copulation rate, tending rate) was str ongly linked to age. However, we did not record any statistical differ ence between males within the same age class, and it seemed that age w as preponderant over dominance. Adult males (5 years and more) were th e most aggressive and this aggressivity seemed to be a consequence of their tending behaviour.