Behavior and Social-Organization of the Allied Rock-Wallaby Petrogale-Assimilis, Ramsay, 1877 (Marsupialia, Macropodoidea)

摘要

The behaviour of the allied rock-wallaby, Petrogale assirnilis, is described from observations of tworncolonies conducted over a 10-month period. Much of the behaviour of P. assirnilis is similar to thatrnof other macropodoid species. Behavioural patterns recorded in P. assirnilis which are atypical ofrnmacropodoid species include: a scrambling motion; sternal rubbing of females by males; and a 'tail bite'rnaggressive act. Ritualised aggression and submission are more diverse in P. assirnilis than in otherrnmacropodoid species. Approximately linear dominance hierarchies and stable relationships betweenrnadult males and females are features of the social organisation of P. assirnilis. Adult male-femalernrelationships are marked by regular social grooming and the sharing of resting sites and other partsrnof their exclusive home range. Demic structures like that of P. assirnilis may have been important inrnthe evolution of the genus Petrogale.