AN EXAMPLE OF SEGREGATION BETWEEN AGE AND SEX CLASSES ONLY WEAKLY RELATED TO HABITAT USE IN MOUFLON SHEEP (OVIS-GMELINI)

Sexual segregation reported in many wild ruminants is generally assume d to result from either different habitat choices by adult males and f emales or 'social factors'. In this framework, we studied group compos ition and habitat use of mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini) over an annual c ycle in the low-mountain range of Caroux-Espinouse (continental France ). The analysis of group composition revealed segregation outside the rut, not only between the sexes, but also between the young (2-3 years ) and old rams (greater than or equal to 4 years). Moreover, ewes, you ng rams, and old rams exhibited some differences in patterns of habita t use in the mid-rutting and lambing seasons, but showed similar patte rns in winter and summer. These results, juxtaposed with those of stud ies of interactions and proximity between individuals within groups, s uggest that segregation between age-sex classes has a strong social ba sis in mouflon sheep.