Clues for dominance in female chamois: age, weight, or horn size?

A study of social interactions among female Apennine chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata was made in Abruzzo National Park, central Italy, between 1981 and 1982. A linear hierarchy among females was observed, rank order being highly correlated with age, weight, and horn size. An analysis of which physical clues are used by females to assess dominance suggests that body weight may be the most important attribute. The percentages of threats and dominance displays decrease beyond 7–8 years of age when females usually start to lose weight, whereas horns keep growing throughout life. Furthermore, the greater effect of weight compared to that of horn size on the rank/age correlation supports our conclusion. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company.