SOCIALITY AND RELATIONSHIPS IN ALPINE IBEX (CAPRA IBEX)

Gregariousness, inter-individual and general patterns of association o f adult ibex (Capra ibex) were studied outside the rut in 1988, and co mparatively in 1988 and 1989 for males in a small population (Sous-Din e massif, French Alps). Females were less often alone, lived in larger groups albeit with fewer same-sex adults than males. As they aged, ma les were more often alone and lived in smaller groups, while typical n umbers (see <<typical group size >> of Jarman, 1982) of males and of f emales were independent of their age. Females tended to be more with f emales than with males and most of them formed loose bonds. 1-2 year-o ld males associated with individuals of both sexes as expected by chan ce, whereas > 2 year-old males lived in groups where they clearly outn umbered females. The oldest males showed loose bonds with other males. Those 3-4 to 11-12 years old were seen less often than expected with either younger or older males, associated preferentially with individu als in the same age interval and formed close bonds among themselves r esulting in relatively stable sub-groups. Males < 5 years old did not change their general patterns of association but did show weaker socia l bonds in 1988 than 1989. In contrast, > 4 year-old males tended to b e alone more often and less in all-male groups in 1988, while their oc currence in female groups did not vary. Males > 4 years old also displ ayed more stable networks of association than younger males. Some pair s and sub- groups of males aged 2 to 11 years were consistent during t he two consecutive years.