Female–female competition or male mate choice? Patterns of courtship and breeding behavior among feral horses (Equus caballus) on Assateague Island
Powell D. 2008. Female–female competition or male mate choice? Patterns of courtship and breeding behavior among feral horses (Equus caballus) on Assateague Island. Journal of Ethology. 26(1):137-144
This study was done to determine whether patterns of courtship, social, and sexual behavior could be identified that would suggest mate choice and/or mate competition. Higher foaling rates among dominant mares on Assateague Island could therefore be the result of rank-related mate choice by stallions and direct female competition for mating opportunities.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Powell, David M
- Units
- ASIS
- Keywords
- Barrier Island, Copulation Harassment, Dominance, Female Competition, Feral Horse, Flehmen, Harem Band, mate choice