Relationship Between Behavioral Frequency and Reproductive Potential of Female Alpine Musk Deer in Captivity

Between June 2005 and February 2006, focal sampling and all occurrence behavior recording were used to quantify the behavioral patterns of captive female alpine musk deer （Moschus sifanicus） at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm, Gansu Province, China. Copulation success was used to differentiate individuals into two groups （successful and unsuccessful） and to provide a basis for behavioral comparisons, throughout both mating （rut） and non mating seasons. The results indicated significant differences between the behavior patterns of successful and unsuccessful females; however, the reproductive season played an important environmental factor. Pooling results across reproductive seasons, successfully copulating females showed significantly higher frequencies of vigilance and lower frequency of feeding behavior as compared with unsuccessfully copulating females. In the non-mating season, unsuccessfully copulating females had higher frequency of self-directed behavior, environment sniffing, and were less aggressive than successful copulating females. Furthermore, females who were successful at copulating also demonstrated tail-pasting behavior; however, this only occurred during the rut season. The results of this study can improve management practices for musk deer farms through increasing mating success and reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, variation in behavior may also be used as a predictor of copulation success and reproductive potential, whereby females can be grouped and separated according to their reproductive history and past reproduction success.

Relationship between estrus cycles and behavioral durations of captive female alpine musk deer

Owing to poor breeding success in captive alpine musk deer, an understanding of the behavioral patterns of muskdeer in captivity is important. This study was conducted from June 2004 to January 2005 at the Xinglongshan MuskDeer Farm, which is located within Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China. Focal samplingand continuous recording were used to observe the behaviors of 51 female alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus),42 of which had completed a single estrus cycle and nine of which had completed two or more estrus cycles. Allanimals were adults that had been born and raised in captivity. The durations of 12 behaviors, including environmentalsniffing, moving and feeding, were recorded during the non-breeding seasons and behavioral patterns werecompared. The behavioral patterns of females that had completed a single estrus cycle and females that hadcompleted multiple estrus cycles were compared to assess potential behavioral differences. The results showed thatfemales who had only one complete estrus cycle demonstrated more resting behavior, but less feeding and locomotorbehavior than females who had completed multiple estrus cycles. Furthermore, single estrus cycle femalesdemonstrated tail-rubbing during the breeding season. The results may yield useful information that can be used indeveloping better musk deer farming practices.