SEASONAL RANGE USE BY EUROPEAN MOUFLON RAMS IN MEDIUM ALTITUDE MOUNTAINS

The dynamics of spatial distribution was followed in 18 radio-collared male mouflons Ovis ammon musimon (Pallas 1811) belonging to a population living in low mediterranean mountains. It was greatly modified with age and a marked interindividual variability was observed in young males. The modification of spatial behaviour appeared to be based on the process of progressive segregation of the sexes outside the rutting period. Spatial distribution by adult males seems to be more structured. However, certain males of at least 4 years of age were seen to be sedentary throughout the annual cycle which suggests that the social segregation of the sexes does not necessarly involve spatial segregation. The hypothesis of neotenization in males of the genus Ovis is supported. The rut ground is used with fidelity, being a site of particular spatial attachment, which could be related to the fact that it seems to be the birth site. Nevertheless, with age, frequentation of the birth site steadily become reduced to functional use related to rutting activities.