THE ROLE OF TERRITORIALITY IN THE MATING SYSTEM OF THE SPRINGBOK ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS

Abstract

SUMMARY The role of territoriality was examined in relation to the breeding system of the springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, in the southern Kalahari. Males defended territories in areas where the polygyny potential was highest. During the rut females appeared to be attracted primarily to the resources on a territory and not to the rams themselves. Only males who successfully defended territories were observed to breed with females, though females were often mated more than once and sometimes by more than one male. Male springbok showed no pre- or post-copulatory guarding behaviour, whilst oestrous females did not choose to join larger groups in order to avoid harassment by other males. The results of this study are compared to those from lek-breeding ungulates.