Evaluation of Techniques for Categorizing Group Membership of White-Tailed Deer |
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| Authors: | KEVIN L. MONTEITH CHAD L. SEXTON JONATHAN A. JENKS R. TERRY BOWYER |
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| Affiliation: | 1. National Park Service, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Box 7, Medora, ND 58645, USA;2. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA;3. Department of Biological Sciences, 912 South 8th Avenue, Stop 8007, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: We studied sexual segregation, particularly patterns of group membership for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), in Lincoln County, Minnesota, USA, to evaluate current techniques used to categorize animals when studying sexual segregation. We categorized group membership according to Hirth (1977) and grouped individuals using our solitary categorization method. Our solitary method was most sensitive to changes in behavior and physiology exhibited by reproductively active females and their association with other deer during sexual segregation. |
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| Keywords: | group membership Minnesota Odocoileus virginianus parturition reproductive behavior social structure sexual segregation techniques white-tailed deer |
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