Social organisation and mating strategies of the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) in Kirindy Forest CFPF, Madagaskar

哺乳动物的交配系统与物种的社会组织密切相关，而社会组织又由获得有限资源的特定性别选择压力决定。在以前对独居食肉动物的研究中，由于很难观察到种群密度较低的遥远物种的交配行为，交配系统仅从社会组织的角度进行了描述。在本研究中，我们的目标是将通过现代GPS技术收集的空间数据与独居的食肉动物窝(Cryptoprocta Ferox)种群的行为和遗传数据相结合。以前的低样本量研究表明，哺乳动物存在一种独特的交配系统，它结合了竞争一夫多妻制和LEK系统的元素。雌性会拜访传统的交配树，并似乎积极地寻求多次交配。此外，坊间证据表明，存在男性联盟，这可能在性内竞争交配机会的背景下发挥作用。因此，我们想要详细研究颅窝的间隔模式和交配行为，以帮助理解一种神秘的顶级食肉动物独特的交配系统。

Mammalian mating systems are closely related to the social organisation of a species, which in turn is determined by sex-specific selection pressures with respect to access to limited resources. In previous studies of solitary carnivores, mating systems have been described with respect to social organisation alone, due to difficulties of observing mating behaviour in far-ranging species with low population densities. In the present study, we aim to combine spatial data collected through modern GPS technology with behavioural and genetic data of a population of a solitary carnivore, the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). Previous studies with low sample sizes have indicated the existence of a unique mammalian mating system, combining elements of scramble competition polygyny and a lek system. Females visit traditional mating trees and appear to actively solicit multiple matings. Moreover, anecdotal evidence indicates the existence of male coalitions, which may function in the context of intra‐sexual competition for mating opportunities. We therefore want to investigate spacing patterns and mating behaviour of the fossa in detail in order to contribute to the understanding of a unique mammalian mating system in an enigmatic top carnivore.